Anzac Day 2020: Dawn Service live stream, how to commemorate in Melbourne, public holiday
This year’s Anzac Day will be like no other. No marches, no two-up, no crowds thronging the street. Instead, Australians are being asked to honour our veterans — past and present — in different ways. Follow our guide to help mark this historic day.
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On Anzac Day 2020, for the first time in more than a century, streets will be empty across the state.
There will be no veterans marching, no public Dawn Service at the Shrine Of Remembrance, no Last Post played in regional schools and local RSL sub-branches.
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing services and marches to be cancelled on Saturday, and residents urged to stay home, most of the familiar public rituals will be missing.
Instead, Australians are being encouraged to stand at the end of their driveways, on their balconies or in their loungerooms at 6am on Saturday to commemorate those who served, those who died and those who are still serving.
VICTORIAN PUBLIC HOLIDAY INFORMATION
If you were hoping for a long weekend, you’re out of luck.
Despite Anzac Day falling on a Saturday this year, most of the country won’t get a public holiday on Monday, including Victoria.
Only those in Western Australia and the ACT will get the day off.
WHAT SHOPS ARE OPEN?
Under Victorian law, most shops can’t open their doors until 1pm — and that includes the big three supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and ALDI.
Most Coles and ALDI supermarkets will close at 8pm and Woolies at 10pm.
Bottle shops such as Dan Murphys will open at 1pm, and some Liquorland stores will open an hour earlier at midday.
Bunnings stores will open from 1pm to 7pm, with its queuing system to enter the store still in place to adhere with social distancing rules.
All Chemist Warehouse stores will be open at various times, except for Ascot Vale and Malvern which are closed.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak many pubs, cafes, restaurants and cinemas will remain closed – but check online beforehand.
STAND ON YOUR DRIVEWAY AT 6AM
RSL Victoria has backed the #standto movement which was first floated last month.
It encourages people to stand on their driveways, balconies or in their backyards at 6am with a candle or a torch, and stand for a minute’s silence in respect to our veterans.
People are also encouraged to share any images from their street on social media and RSL Victoria’s Facebook page with the hashtag #standto.
You can also Light Up The Dawn with a virtual candle The Ode and The Last Post.
GET OUT YOUR TRUMPET OR BUGLE
If you’re lucky, some of your neighbours might dusting off their instruments for their own tribute.
In Ringwood, Carmen Ct’s Warren Gilbert will be getting out his bugle and playing The Last Post on his driveway at 6am.
Mr Gilbert is a retired brass band musician and normally attends a Dawn Service every year.
He’s sent out flyers around his street to invite his neighbours to join him.
WATCH THE DAWN SERVICE
A service will be broadcast live from the Australian National War Memorial in Canberra on the ABC from 5.30am.
A small, closed service from The Sanctuary at Melbourne’s Shrine Of Remembrance will be streamed live on its Facebook page from 5.50am.
Click on the image below to download and print your high resolution poppy for Anzac Day.
DONATE TO THE ANZAC APPEAL
Donate to the AnzacAppeal and support Australian veterans and their families in need.
RSL Victoria chief executive Jamie Twidale CSM said the appeal was the RSL’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
“It’s when our hardworking volunteers usually sell Anzac badges on streets right across Victoria to raise money for our veteran support programs,’’ he said.
“Our volunteers won’t be fundraising on the streets this year. But Australians will be able to make an online donation instead.”
GET ON YOUR ROWING MACHINE
Rowing Australia has set a timely — and very patriotic — challenge for fitness fanatics.
From dawn to dusk, those with a home gym have been asked to get on their rowing machine and record 2504m, reflecting the date of Anzac Day.
Participants are urged to log their metres online or share images of themselves on social media with the hashtag #AnzacAtHome
Australian 2016 Rio Olympics rowing gold medallist Kim Brennan said: “We’re calling on Australians and New Zealanders who have their indoor rowing machines at home to record 2504m as many times as possible and take a moment to remember those who came before us.
“While this year’s Anzac Day will be different to others, we know our communities will come together to recognise those who served and continue to serve the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces.”
BAKE SOME AWESOME AUSSIE-THEMED SNACKS
Jump into the kitchen and make some dinky-di treats with a unique Australian slant.
Think meat pies, lemon and myrtle damper, cheesymite scrolls, Tim Tam balls or even a pavlington – a cross between pavlova and lamingtons.
Or, there’s the traditional Anzac Day biscuits which can be whipped up in a flash, and this drool-worthy recipe featuring Milo and ice cream.
A doughnut shop in Mornington is also selling Anzac Day DIY-doughnut kits and has been dropping off treats to war veterans’ homes.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Get crafty with your children and make some poppies, or, test their knowledge and maybe get some homeschooling cred with this Parents vs Children Anzac Day quiz.
It’s also a great time to video call older relatives and learn about any family war stories or connections.
LOCAL TRIBUTES
Dandenong-Cranbourne
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL sub-branch president John Wells, who served in Vietnam in 1967 in an artillery regiment as a forward observer signaller, said while the community couldn’t attend Dawn Services or parades, they could still honour veterans from home with a simple gesture.
“It is very disappointing for us but at the same time this is an opportunity for us to reflect this year much more deeply than normal on what Anzac Day really means,” Mr Wells said.
“We can think about what it means to be Australian and I’ll be a down at the end of my driveway at 6am and I encourage others to do so.
“My next door neighbours will be out with their children too. I will have a small sound system and I will play the Last Post. We’ll have a silence then a reveille.”
Templestowe
Templestowe RSL sub-branch president Ron Twining and his colleagues usually have a crowd of up to 3000 at the sub-branch’s memorial garden in Parker St on April 25.
But the morning service — and the wreath laying, the much-loved participation of schoolchildren and the traditional refreshments afterwards — will not go ahead as the community fights an unseen enemy.
“Online is all you can do this year. Some will get up and stand to attention for a minute in their driveway. I’ll definitely be tuning in online,” Mr Twining said.
Frankston
Frankston Mayor Sandra Mayer has encouraged locals to stand in their driveways to pay their respects at 6am, as well as access content from the Frankston RSL sub-branch.
The sub-branch will stream videos of its centenary service from 6am on Saturday, as well as its 2019 service in Beauty Park at 11am through its Facebook page.
“Although we are unable to attend Anzac Day services in person this year, we can
still honour those who have served our great country,” Cr Mayer said.
“In the midst of all that is happening, it’s important that we stand tall, maintain
tradition and never forget those that fought for our freedom.”