Territorians commemorate ‘a very different’ Anzac Day from their driveways
TERRITORIANS have risen early this Anzac Day to remember those who fought — and fell — for our nation
Northern Territory
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A SOLDIER stood alone, lit only by a candle, on his Darwin CBD balcony.
Dressed in his full uniform, including his slouch hat, it was the only way he could commemorate those who had come before him.
On the streets below, at 6am, joggers paused their runs to remember those who have given their lives in service of Australia.
Mark Sheil and Patrick O’Donnell sat in camping chairs on the footpath, two candles lighting their faces as they played the national service through their radio.
Mr Sheil, a retired navy sailor, and Mr O’Donnell, a former New Zealander, said they would be having a rum for the boys and girls of the Australian Defence Force.
“We’ve always done the Anzac thing,” Mr O’Donnell said.
“I thought I’d see more candles though.”
However, he said he didn’t think Anzac Day would ever be forgotten.
“There’s a lot of the children who come out with their parents,” he said.
LIVE NATIONAL BLOG: WE will remember them at home: Anzac Day 2020
“It’ll go on forever, as long as we don’t have another war.”
Such was the case for 14-year-old Caedyn Taylor who performed the Last Post in his Palmerston driveway.
Palmerston 14 year old Caedyn Taylor performs the last post on a bizarre #AnzacDay2020 @TheNTNews pic.twitter.com/KJeqpRLrdf
— Will Zwar (@zwar_w) April 24, 2020
Around the nation, millions turned on their TVs to watch the services at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
A didgeridoo played in a pre-dawn quiet of the national capital has sounded the beginning of the Anzac Day national commemorative service.
With all public gatherings cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the service is being broadcast around the country from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
As well, it’s the third time that marches have been cancelled - the last time in 1942 and previously during the devastating Spanish flu outbreak. The service is due to be addressed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and conclude with The Ode, The Last Post, a minute’s silence and Reveille.
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Australians have been encouraged to stand in their driveways at 6am with a candle or torch to light up the dawn.
Many plan to play instruments such as bugles and trumpets.
Originally published as Territorians commemorate ‘a very different’ Anzac Day from their driveways