\u201cThe decision yesterday was made in the interest of safety,\u201d Towgood said. \u201cAnd the age of our veterans \u2013 because regardless (of what critics say), they do not really understand the age of the veterans that march now.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a returned serviceman himself, Towgood said he stood firmly by the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fully support it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was made with the veterans \u2013 their age and everything \u2013 taken into account.\u201d<\/p>\n
The criticism was difficult, Towgood said, but the reaction ultimately reflected the enduring importance of Anzac Day to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day,\u201d Towgood said, \u201cit shows people still care\u201d.<\/p>\n
While some online critics argued that those who fought in wars endured far worse conditions, Towgood said that the comparison missed an important reality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking at people in their late 70s and early 80s now,\u201d he said. \u201cThat has to be taken into account.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another major concern was the infrastructure required to stage a dawn service for several thousand people. Towgood said the electronic sound and lighting equipment that needs to be installed onsite posed significant safety risks in prolonged wet conditions.<\/p>\n
Equipment that had been installed earlier in yesterday\u2019s continuous rain was removed soon after the RSA\u2019s decision about 3pm.<\/p>\n
The cancellation prompted strong reaction online, with more than 200 comments posted beneath a story announcing it on the Northern Advocate\u2019s Facebook page. <\/p>\n
Many commentators argued the service should have gone ahead regardless of the weather, with remarks such as \u201cthe war didn\u2019t get rained off\u201d and calls for people to \u201cget wet\u201d and attend anyway.<\/p>\n
Others came to the organisers\u2019 defence, urging critics to consider the wellbeing of elderly veterans, particularly those in their 80s and 90s.<\/p>\n
Towgood said he had not read the online comments in detail, but acknowledged the strength of feeling on both sides.<\/p>\n
Friday’s steady rain across much of Northland, inhibited preparations for this morning’s RSA Anzac Day dawn service, which was cancelled out of concerns around the safety of onsite electronics and the welfare of aged service people. Photo \/ Sarah Curtis<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have got a passion for it,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd us guys who served have certainly got a passion for it. What we had to do yesterday was not a knee\u2011jerk reaction. There was one hell of a lot of very deep discussion before that decision was made.\u201d<\/p>\n