The day that marks the official surrender of Germany in WWII will also mark a significant day for Nelson this year.
Victory in Europe (VE Day) celebrates the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces.
While officially marked in the UK and Europe on May 8, New Zealand has always marked the occasion on May 9.
Local resident Gail Collingwood says Nelson Tasman will also be celebrating an important anniversary this year – 30 years since a memorial plaque was laid at Anzac Park honouring the women of the region who served in World War II.
While not on the front line, women were the backbone, just as important, and their stories need to be told, Gail says.
So, she gathered a group of local women who have together organised a short commemoration service at Anzac Park at 2.30pm on Friday.
Gail says the first she knew of the plaque, which is almost hidden in a corner of the park under some shrubs, was when local headstone restorer Brian Ramsay posted it on Facebook last year.
At the time, shrubs had grown around the site, completely covering the plaque, and Brian “must have been on his stomach to clean it up”, she says.
Gail has been involved with women’s issues for much of her life, including chairing the local Suffrage Centennial Committee and a long-time member of the National Council of Women.
She also served as a Nelson City councillor for 18 years and as Deputy Mayor from 2001-2007.
“I’m just a woman who saw this post on Facebook and thought ‘I know nothing about that’,” Gail remarks. “I thought ‘how come I don’t know a thing about it?’, and it’s so important for our local history, isn’t it?”
Gail approached many others during the week of Anzac Day and says she could not find a single person knew the plaque was there.
Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says when she was approached by Gail last year, she too had no idea the plaque was there.
“Gail approached me last year because the plaque had been covered with garden growth and couldn’t be seen. Nelmac cleaned it up, and I suggested we should have a commemoration to acknowledge that the plaque was there.
“I’m really pleased that she’s been able to pull together an event to acknowledge women, particularly locals,” Rachel adds.
“The role of women is often lost, not only those that served, but when men left, those roles had to be filled back here in NZ. Women made a significant contribution and it’s really important that we acknowledge that.”
Gail agrees and says she has heard stories of locals who supported the war efforts.
One woman recalled how her mother was an optometrist who was tasked with testing the men for night flying, another whose friend was a physiotherapist assisting in the aftermath, and even those who held a pilot licence and were tasked with getting the planes to where they were needed for combat.
Gail says Friday’s 2.30pm service at Anzac Park will be a short 30-minute commemoration based on an RSA focus. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects are welcome.
