Cenotaph created in no time

Al Brown, left, and Mike Buck from Tauranga's Men's Shed helped make a cenotaph for tomorrow's Anzac civic service. Photo / John Borren

A 3.5m wooden cenotaph will today be taken to Tauranga Domain for tomorrow's Anzac service.

The cenotaph, made in three pieces for ease of transportation, was built by the Men's Shed at the Historic Village specially for the combined Tauranga and Mount Maunganui Anzac civic service tomorrow.

Tauranga City Council has paid for it.

A cenotaph was needed becauase there is no cenotaph at the Tauranga Domain for people to lay wreaths.

Al Brown, a Men's Shed worker, said the organisation was presented with an idea for the cenotaph and from this, the men created a plan.

It took three or four men two days to build and paint the cenotaph.

It has a large, wide base which was made in case of rain, so the structure could be sandbagged, Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said the project was co-ordinated by manager Dave Harper, who was the keystone of the whole organisation.

The Men's Shed was involved in the project because the organisation had made the 110 crosses used in the Gallipoli exhibition.

The cenotaph will sit beside the stage at tomorrow's civic service.

It will be taken there on a small truck.

The council is seeking a permanent home for it.

What does Anzac Day mean to you?

"People died for us to have a free country. It's about remembering those people that fought for us to have the lives we do today."
- Emanuel Rutten, 69, former Papamoa resident now in Perth

"I think it's a very special day to remember all those people who died that didn't have to fight in the war."
- Tirangi Rutten, 67, former Papamoa resident now in Perth

"Remembering all those people who fought in the First World War."
- Jacob Norris, 18, Arataki

"Remembrance and just thinking of their sacrifice."
- Nicky Doyle, 53, Otumoetai