Anzac flagpole erected

Kaiparoro was able to fly a flag at their Anzac Day service for the first time after locals pitched in to build a new flagpole for the memorial bridge.

The 90-year-old Anzac Memorial Bridge features the names of eight men and one woman who served in WWI and WWII, and has become a focus for the community.

Farmers Ian and Lynette Dewes joined the Friends of Anzac Bridge a year ago and set about obtaining a flagpole for the bridge.

After an offer of a donated flagpole fell through, and getting a quote for $1700 for a new pole, they decided to scrub up an old steel power pole they found on their property.

They then employed the skills of Eketahuna engineer Barry Burling, who donated the other materials needed to build the base, as well as his expertise and labour.

This, despite the fact that Mr Burling is recovering from abdominal surgery for cancer.

Mrs Dewes said she thought, as well as his desire to do something for the men who lost their lives in the world wars, he might have wanted something to do.

"It's pretty hard to sit still so it was a good that our project came along. He just took it in, grasped it and went for it."

Mrs Dewes said they only printed 45 programmes for the Anzac Day service - 130 people turned up. The bridge was classed a category-one listed structure by the Historic Places Trust in 2010.