Turakina Anzac Day service remembers local veterans

Anzac Day service at Turakina school. Photo / Lewis Gardner

The library at Turakina School was filled with people of all ages who came to commemorate Anzac Day on Thursday.

Around 60 people attended the 10am service that featured stories of local servicemen and their war-time efforts.

Laurel Mauchline Campbell, who has organised the past three years of Anzac services at the school, said it's a special day for locals.

Turakina School principal Leigh McKay and event organiser Laurel Mauchline Campbell. Photo / Lewis Gardner

"I think for a small community that suffered some big losses in both World Wars, it's very important for everyone to together."

Some of the veterans in attendance had travelled from the likes of Palmerston North to be there.

"They deliberately come back to their hometown, it's very much about community here and we're also getting a huge range of ages attending, a lot of younger people and younger families joining in."

Turakina School has a special connection with the area's soldiers who fought in World War I, as a cenotaph honouring those who did not return sits inside the school grounds.

Cadets Olivia Newland, Amelia Cronin, Max McIntyre, and Flight Lieutenant Bryce Hackett. Photo / Lewis Gardner

"It's about the community using the school for the service, and because we've got the cenotaph here it's part of our responsibility," school principal Leigh McKay said.

"In the past the pupils have researched names on the mural and often find out there's relatives still at the school."

McKay said the service is becoming more popular for people to attend.

"I've only been back here as principal for the last 18 months and last year we had a bigger crowd than I expected, and it looks like there's even more here today."