Marys Bay
Homewood War Memorial Hall’s temporary flagpole will be replaced with a new one
One of Marlborough’s more remote communities is to receive a boost in the shape of a new flagpole and base for its hall.
Homewood War Memorial Hall has served the Pelorus Sound area since being opened by MP Tom Shand in April 1953. Situated in Marys Bay in the outer Sounds, the hall is a focal point for the local community and regularly used by organisations and for church and RSA services, weddings, christenings, farewells and fundraising functions.
The Maritime Parks Board and Marlborough District Council has held public meetings there, and for nearly 50 years the hall hosted the correspondence school.
Every Anzac Day memorial services are held at Homewood Hall and for many years locals have made do with temporary flagpoles.
Sounds ward Councillor Barbara Faulls said the community signalled some time ago they would love a new flagpole and she was delighted to see the project through to a successful end.
“In the same way that Homewood Hall is seen by the community as a place for families to connect, the flag signifies the sacrifice and the loss of many fine young men and women, in particular, the young men who rowed out to the troop ships and never returned to the Sounds,” she said. “The old bamboo pole did not provide the same level of respect and dignity and a proper flagpole will allow families to commemorate with extra pride on Anzac Day.”
Small Townships Project Manager Heather Graham said funding for the project has come from the Community Projects Fund.
“Council allocates a percentage of the annual Small Townships budget for small, low cost infrastructure projects on outdoor public spaces,” said Ms Graham. “Any organisation or group representing a small township or community in Marlborough (except Blenheim, Picton and Waikawa) can apply.”
