Anzac Day 2021: COVID restrictions stop marches, leave services in limbo

Veterans and their families eager to march and honour fallen comrades on April 25 are being thwarted by red tape.

Vice President of the Mt Evelyn RSL Roger Boness and Ken A. Mackenzie OAM. Picture: Mark Stewart

Anzac Day commemorations are being cancelled across Melbourne and major regional events are in limbo as RSL sub-branches anxiously wait for state government coronavirus permits.

Suburban marches in Mt Evelyn, Dandenong, Cranbourne, Frankston and Rosebud – that would normally draw thousands of people – have already been cancelled amid fears smaller sub-branches can’t meet the stringent COVID-safe protocols.

And services in Ballarat, Bendigo and Wodonga still need permits under a ‘tier system’ based on crowd numbers in order to proceed.

Events for less than 1000 people are considered tier 3 and organisers can register online and submit a COVID-safe event checklist.

Larger events require a tier 1 (uncapped numbers) or tier 2 permit which has to be applied for up to eight weeks in advance and require state government approval.

The Anzac Day morning service in Bendigo is in limbo as the RSL waits for a permit. Picture: Dale Webster

Bendigo District RSL president Peter Swandale said it was frustrating that the service honouring Australia’s armed forces had to jump through more hoops, hurdles and barriers than the local Sunday markets.

“The frustrating part is that the rules are good for one but not for the other,” Mr Swandale said.

“How can it work for a market, but then tell veterans they can’t march?”

Mt Evelyn RSL sub-branch committee member Anthony McAleer said too many restrictions had been placed on Anzac Day commemorations.

“RSL Victoria issued a statement to us — they didn’t want us to do a march, they didn’t want us to do a breakfast,” Mr McAleer said.

“If we were to have over 1000 people we would have to do a COVID-safety plan and get a permit.”

The sub-branch decided to cancel its usual march and Dawn Service which was usually attended by up to 3000 people.

Frankston’s Anzac Day Dawn Service would also not go ahead unless major changes are made to government directives, president Kevin Hellier said.

Families won’t be able to take part in Anzac Day commemorations at the War Memorial in Beauty Park, Frankston this year. Picture by Wayne Taylor.

More than 5000 residents usually pack Beauty Park for commemorations but restrictions meant large crowds would be forced to pay their respects at home.

“More than 5000 people in attendance means the event is classed as Tier 1, which requires ticketing and fencing — it’s impossible. At the moment it won’t happen unless there’s major changes,” Mr Hellier said.

Rosebud RSL sub-branch president Bruce Turner said its march would not be held because the organisation couldn’t guarantee the safety of the 4000 people expected to attend.

“There’s no way we can ensure people will social distance. There can be 400 school kids there. How can we get children to stay 1.5m apart?”

Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL sub-branch has also cancelled its march and the crowd-favourite two-up, but its dawn and midmorning services will go ahead.

The club was also told that its events had to be “members only” with no public participation to try and keep numbers under 1000 people.

President John Wells was frustrated by the “un-Australian order”.

“This day is so important to our culture,” Mr Wells said.

Samuel Tate-Pearse with the bronze statue of his famous great great uncle Samuel Pearse VC MM in Henderson Park, Mildura.

Mildura RSL sub-branch has told the public wreaths cannot be laid during official proceedings in order to meet tier 3 rules for its service.

“Unfortunately there are some sacrifices we need to make,” sub-branch general manager Kim Archibald said.

RSL Victoria said it had not specified ‘members only’ events for sub-branches.

However, it suggested the Light Up The Dawn campaign – which sees people stand in their driveways, on balconies and gardens at sunrise – could be promoted in tandem with Anzac Day events “so that people have the option to commemorate from home”.

In Ballarat the council has stepped in to apply for a Tier 2 permit on behalf of the town’s RSL sub-branch for its Dawn Service, march and midday service.

RSL president Alan Douglass said the council would be responsible for COVID-safe plans and enforcing restrictions for all events, including the Dawn Service which normally drew crowds of up to 8000.

When asked about the issue in parliament on Tuesday, Veterans Minister Shaun Leane said the government had been involved in “intensive discussions” with Anzac House.

“They are keen to take responsibility as far as advising the sub-branches about their events on Anzac Day,” he said.

“My understanding is there are well over 400 branches that have lodged COVID-safe plans.

Mr Leane said the chief health officer and the Department of Health would consider their applications urgently.

RSL Victoria chief executive Jamie Twidale confirmed more than 400 local Anzac Day services and events were being planned by Victorian RSL sub-branches at war memorials and cenotaphs across the state.

“Our sub-branches have been made aware of the Victorian Governments Public Events Framework and we continue to support them in their efforts to hold COVID-safe Anzac Day commemoration activities,” he said.

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