Australians urged to light candles at home to mark Anzac service
We can’t go to dawn services or parades but Australians are being urged to honour our veterans from home with a simple gesture this Anzac Day.
VIC News
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Our veterans will be honoured from driveways, balconies and living rooms this Saturday as Australians are urged to light candles or hold up a torch at dawn to mark the service.
Instead of the usual marches and services, the RSL’s #lightupthedawn campaign is encouraging Australians to commemorate Anzac Day in their homes.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will lead a televised dawn service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and organisers want Australians to hold up a light immediately after it ends.
Among those marking the day at home will be World War II veteran Frank Sims, 96, and his grandchildren Cameron, Marlowe and Natasha.
The air force veteran usually takes part in the annual march with the Odd Bods Association, but son Robert said the family was preparing for an Anzac Day “like never before”.
“Dad enjoys meeting up with his old friends that were in the Odd Bods. There’s only a handful of them left but the descendants can join in the march so my three kids always join with him and march a little bit of the way,” he said.
“He’s happy to mark it with the kids. They’ll be able to mark it together with a candle in the driveway. We all live under the same roof so it will be nice to still mark the occasion.”
Mr Morrison said the “sacred day” was an “important time to remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, those who have laid down their lives or suffered great hardship to protect Australians’ way of life”.
“We will not be gathering at the local cenotaph, or attending gunfire breakfasts at the local RSL, or gathering together to bow our heads in silence and listen to the bugles at dawn,” he said.
“But we will still remember the sacrifice of those who gave so much for us at Gallipoli and on many fronts, as we ourselves give what we can to protect Australian lives while we face this terrible virus.”
RSL Victoria has also had to alter its annual Anzac Appeal fundraising effort, and is now calling on Victorians to visit anzacappeal.com.au and donate online.
RSL Victoria president Robert Webster said many veterans were “doing it especially tough” during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Some will be struggling with social isolation, physical and mental health problems,” Dr Webster said.
“The longer this pandemic goes on, the more acute the needs of our veterans become.”
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Darren Chester said Australians would find new ways to mark Anzac Day this year.
“Whether it’s a solitary driveway tribute, baking Anzac biscuits, a small ceremony with your household, sharing a message for our service personnel or watching the televised service from the Australian War Memorial on the morning of April 25, I encourage everyone to pause, reflect and say a simple ‘thank you for your service’,” Mr Chester said.
The service will be broadcast from 5.30am on Saturday.