Anzac Day: Templestowe RSL sub-branch to be deserted on biggest day of year
Come April 25, thousands usually gather in Templestowe to pay their Anzac Day respects. All will be quiet on the RSL sub-branch’s front this year, but president Ron Twining says not all is lost.
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The coronavirus pandemic might have put a stop to Anzac Day commemorative services but it won’t dampen the spirit of the day, a Manningham RSL sub-branch president says.
Ron Twining and his Templestowe colleagues usually have a crowd of up to 3000 at the sub-branch’s memorial garden in Parker St on April 25.
“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.
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.
The sub-branch’s membership is thinning every year — there are just 30 vets on the list, mostly from the Vietnam War, while there are no longer any World War II vets among its ranks.
But while the number of veterans has shrunk, the crowds at Templestowe’s Dawn Service continue to rise.
About a decade ago a few hundred would turn up, last year it was a record crowd of 3000.
Mr Twining said the landscape for Anzac Day and other commemorative occasions could look very different in a post-coronavirus world.
“It threatens the future of the small sub-branches, unfortunately. I think there’ll be a number of clubs that will never reopen again. But I hope Templestowe isn’t one of them,” he said.
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Mr Twining said the larger clubs were well positioned to reopen when federal and state government lockdown restrictions were eased.
“The clubs that have pokies and do meals will be OK (but) it’s a complete wipe-out this year,” he said.
“I closed Templestowe RSL (on March 23) in accordance with government directives and stood down our two long standing staff members. No idea when the club will reopen.”