New award to commemorate Anzac Day

A new award to recognise courage, comradeship, commitment and compassion will honour the Anzac spirit, Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Speaking at the launch of this year's poppy day appeal to be held on Friday, Ms Collins said the annual award would recognise the efforts and achievements of an individual or group who best emulated the Anzac spirit.

The award, a statuette of a man and donkey, would be for a single act or for a lifetime of effort, or for an organisation that has given service to New Zealanders or the international community.

Nominations may be made on behalf of any New Zealand citizen. The award would be announced prior to Anzac Day each year and the presentation made on Anzac Day each year.

The first award will be presented on Anzac Day 2010 which will also mark the 95th anniversary of the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

The man and donkey image was made famous by a painting was taken from a photograph of New Zealand medic Dick Henderson. The artist thought he was working from a picture of English medic John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey Murphy. The medic for 24 days after April 25 led Murphy as he carried wounded soldiers down to the beach first aid stations before a Turkish soldier shot him dead.

Mrs Collins noted Mr Henderson's son Ross and wife Lyn were in the audience today, as was World War 2 Bomber Command veteran Bruce Cunningham, of Wellington.

The minister called on the public to support Friday's appeal.

"I would urge all New Zealanders to support this good cause either by buying a poppy from a collector, or going online and downloading a virtual poppy to their mobile phone.

"It is critical that New Zealand keeps the memory of the service of veterans, past and present, alive.

"It is important that future generations of New Zealanders understand the immense role veterans have played, and continue to play, in the development of their communities."

Mrs Collins launched the appeal at the National War Memorial in Wellington attended by top military, MPs and Returned and Services' Association members.

She will attend the Anzac Day Service at Gallipoli.

- NZPA