Aussies asked to light up street for Anzac Day
The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed the way Australians will honour Anzac Day, but veteran David Doughty says this year, more than ever is important to make the effort to remember our war heroes.
VIC News
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David Doughty only heard about his father’s time in the war by listening to stories from the mates he fought alongside.
But the 66-year-old is making sure the stories are passed down the generations of his family — and this Anzac Day won’t be any different.
“We are going to stand outside at dawn. We normally go to the march every year,” he said. “I have been to it for the last 38 years, but sadly this year we can’t do it.
“But we will stand outside in the driveway and hopefully everyone will do it.”
He will be joined by three grandchildren — Riley Gilbert, 10, Kaitlyn Gilbert, 9, and William Doughty, 7 — the youngest of whom is the veteran’s namesake and wears his uniform and medals with pride.
“The uniform William is wearing, that was my father’s, his great grandfather’s and his name was also William. He was a jockey before he went to war, that’s why it’s so small,” Mr Doughty said.
He said it’s important children “remember our history”.
“We live in a wonderful world now, we are free, but it’s important to remember those people who have sacrificed their lives and made Australia what it is today,” he said.
Millions of Australians are expected to join Mr Doughty in what could be the biggest Anzac Day commemoration in history — at home.
“People will remember where they were on Anzac Day 2020,” Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson promised on Tuesday.
The former soldier and diplomat was handed the role to lead the nation’s gratitude to its war dead and those serving in the military last December.
Before the pandemic, he had been preparing for up to 35,000 people to descend on Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial’s forecourt in Canberra for the centrepiece of commemorations.
Instead he will host a national televised event he hopes Australians will tune into and follow from their homes.
“In a way we are the focus of the national commemoration when people are no longer travelling to their local cenotaph or local shrine ... people will no longer be able to travel and gather,” he said.
“Because it is the national televised commemorative event at 5.30 Anzac Day morning, it places the Australian War Memorial where I think it has always been — at the centre of the nation’s commemoration for all those who have suffered and died.”
Mr Anderson said there is a greater opportunity for tributes this year when people “can very easily wake the kids up and go stand at their front gate, or at their front porch or on their balcony and just pause and remember and then talk about it”.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy has given formal approval for an exemption of social distancing restrictions for the commemorative service.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
DAWN SERVICE
Watch the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance on TV or livestream on the RSL Victoria’s Facebook.
MINUTE SILENCE
As the Last Post is played, stand in your yard, driveway or on your balcony to observe a minute’s silence in respect of our veterans. Take a picture and share it using the hashtag #STANDTO.
Carry a candle or turn on the porch light to “Light Up the Dawn”.
VIRTUAL CANDLE
Turn your phone into a shining illumination and light up the dawn with a virtual candle to remember all those who have served and sacrificed. You can access the virtual candle here along with a video of the traditional Ode and the Last Post.
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