Anzac Day march Melbourne: Call for veterans to take part in parade

COVID-cautious veterans are steering clear of Melbourne’s Anzac Day parade amid a call to arms to get behind the event.

COVID cautious veterans are steering clear of Melbourne’s Anzac Day parade amid a call to arms to get behind the event.

Just 900 of a possible 5500 marchers have so far signed up.

World War II veterans — most aged in their 90s — have been among the most determined to march along St Kilda Road.

Their support has been so strong a pedestrian ramp will be erected to allow access to the Shrine of Remembrance forecourt.

RSL Victoria chief executive officer Jamie Twidale said some veterans were reluctant to take part because they had to register under COVIDSafe protocols.

But he stressed they shouldn’t let frustrations deter them.

“We want to make the commemoration as meaningful as possible,’’ he said.

“I think they’re really heeding this call to stay home and local. But I really don’t want people that want to march to think they can’t because there’s no spots. Don’t be put off.

“We’ve got quite good uptake from the elderly — to the point where we’ve modified the march to make sure that we can get all the elderly into wheelchairs if they need them so we can get them right up to the top of the shrine.’’

East Timor veteran Bob Richards (left), WWII vet Ernest Baddeley and Vietnam vet Noel McLean. Picture: David Geraghty

Delays in the vaccine rollout, February’s five-day lockdown and veterans groups marking the day locally so they can gather afterwards were also believed factors behind the low registration numbers while it was possible some marchers intended to turn up without forewarning.

Mr Twidale acknowledged there had been fallout when it was initially revealed the march wasn’t going ahead with some veterans now boycotting the event.

He stressed RSL Victoria’s priority was always safety.

“We are not epidemiologists. We are a veteran wellbeing charity,’’ he said.

“What kind of a wellbeing charity is going to put people at risk? We have to trust the government and we’re obligated by our laws to be apolitical.”

About 500 Australian and New Zealand veterans have had places in the march confirmed with decisions in coming days about when to allocate spots to allied forces and descendants.

There had been no application to increase parade numbers but RSL Victoria was in constant contact with the government with plans in place should demand exceed the 5500 places available.

WW2 veteran Ernest Baddeley, centre, has taken part in the parade for 20 years.

World War II veteran Ernest Baddeley, 94, who has taken part in the parade for 20 years, will march again this year.

“I want to march because it might be the last one,’’ he said.

“It brings back a lot of memories. I am one of the few left.’’

RSL Victoria state president Robert Webster said there would be about 400 local commemorative events on Anzac Day.

About 170 sub branches had submitted COVIDSafe documentation but many were still finalising plans.

Government red tape had been cut for events with fewer than 5000 people so they no longer had to submit onerous paperwork.

“While everybody is focusing on St Kilda Road we know there is heaps of stuff going on around the countryside,’’ Dr Webster said.

The march call comes as the Shrine of Remembrance prepares to on Thursday open bookings for the Dawn Service.

Only 1400 places will be available, first come first served.

There has been no application to increase the cap despite coronavirus restrictions last week easing.

Register for ANZAC Day 2021 March Melbourne here: register.rslvic.com.au.