With planned ANZAC Day services around the country cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, Australians have created other ways to safely commemorate the day.
The RSL in NSW is encouraging Australians to take part in a Community Ode, inviting people to pay their respects through recording a video of themselves reciting The Ode or offering another message of support for veterans and then posting it to their social media channels with the hashtags #ANZACspirit and #LightUpTheDawn.
Participants are also invited to post their words of support, personal tributes, photos and other messages on the ANZAC Day 2020 – Light up the dawn event page in in the lead-up to April 25 in the hope these messages will form of a collective community movement of commemoration, thanks and appreciation.
Several well-known Australians have already recorded their own video messages. See the launch video here with celebrity messages and details on how to get involved – https://youtu.be/XkAdooYu8e0
Another initiative invites people to #STANDTO this Anzac Day from home by:
- Standing at the end of their driveway at 5.55am and/or 10am on Saturday April 25 and observing one minute of silence with their neighbours and people around the nation.
- Tuning into the ABC’s live broadcast of the national Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra from 5.30am.
- Donating to the ANZAC appeal online: www.anzacappeal.com.au
Due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Australian Government has cancelled overseas Anzac Day ceremonies for 2020 on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey, near Villers-Bretonneux in France, including the Australian service at the ‘Digger’ Memorial, Bullecourt, Hellfire Pass in Thailand, Sandakan in Malaysia and Isurava in Papua New Guinea.
Ray James, Acting President of the RSL in NSW, says: “Those serving today, and all veterans and their families have given so much to our country, and while we are doing things a little differently this year, what will never change is the eternal respect, thanks and admiration the Australian people have for those who protect us.”
The Ode
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
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For more information on the #ANZACspirit campaign visit www.rslanzacspirit.com.au
