On Monday, four riders from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Charitable Trust joined troopers from the Australian 7th Light Horse Association Bemboka Troop and members of the Snowy Mountains’ Horse Riders Association undertaking a commemorative tour of local towns.
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The tour called “Project TAHI” was an initiative of the Snowy River RSL Sub-Branch to emphasise the New Zealand aspect of ANZAC history and tradition by involving New Zealand elements in ANZAC Day Commemorations around the Snowy Monaro.
TAHI means together in the Maori language.
The group was split into two with group one travelling from Jindabyne to Bemboka, Bombala and Bungarby and group two travelling to Adaminaby, Berridale and Dalgety.
Around 7am on Monday morning group one left Jindabyne and arrived in Bemboka around 9am where they had morning tea hosted by the local RSL sub-branch and a wreath laying ceremony before heading off to Bombala.
Bombala sub-branch president, Rob Letts officiated over the wreath laying ceremony at Bombala’s ANZAC Centenary Rocks.
After the Bombala ceremony the party enjoyed a light lunch at the Bombala RSL Club before heading off to Bungarby.
The Bungarby commemoration was hosted by the Bungarby Memorial Hall Preservation Committee that also provided afternoon tea for the riders.
At the same time on Monday group two travelled from Jindabyne to Adaminaby, Berridale and Dalgety.
President of the Snowy River RSL Sub-Branch, Ian “Ruffy” Graham said that the project increased community focus and engagement of New Zealand, including the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem “God Defend New Zealand” along with the Australian National Anthem “Advance Australia Fair” at the Bombala and Jindabyne dawn and main services.
The 7th Light Horse Bemboka Troop was founded in 1999 and following three years of fundraising efforts the troop had its inaugural parade on ANZAC Day 2002.
