Anzac concert back in Hall of Memories

The Waitaki Boys’ High School Anzac Day Concert is back for its 11th year.

The event will be back in the newly-restored Hall of Memories after being held in the school’s auditorium last year.

Old boy Allan Portis had organised the annual event for more than a decade.

"We’ve got our same cast of wonderful performers led by Dr Ron [Newton] on the organ.

"It’s going to be wonderful . . . it’s always been a wonderful day."

The event drew in crowds of around 250 people, he said.

Mr Portis was excited to be back in the Hall of Memories and was very grateful for Dr Newton who had restored the 100-year-old organ.

"I said to Ron ‘we need it done for the concert’.

"Ron’s worked like a Trojan on that thing.

"The restoration has been wonderful . . . it’s a wonderful thing."

The concert was a great way to connect locals to the school, he said.

"I came across an elderly lady in Dunedin, she said she lived in Oamaru.

"I said ‘have you been to the Waitaki Boys’ High School?’ and she said ‘as a matter of fact I have, I went to a wonderful concert there last year’.

The concert will be held on Anzac Day, tomorrow.