Territory to stop and remember this Anzac Day as commemorations return post COVID

COMMEMORATIONS for Anzac Day todayare expected to be bigger than ever, with the Territory the only jurisdiction in Australia to have a regular Dawn Service Ceremony not impacted by COVID-19

COMMEMORATIONS for Anzac Day todayare expected to be bigger than ever, with the Territory the only jurisdiction in Australia to have a regular Dawn Service Ceremony not impacted by COVID-19.

RAAF Darwin commanding officer wing commander Andrew Anthony said he was looking forward to seeing Territorians flock to the Cenotaph and various ceremonies across the Territory, after just a handful of people participated in last year’s ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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“The things I’ve always been impressed with is the way that as time passes, Anzac Day ceremonies are becoming even more popular,” he said.

“We see more people attending, and it was a real tribute to the NT community that despite COVID we still saw people commemorating Anzac Day in their own special way.

“I remember standing on the drive way on our street, in the light the dawn moment during Anzac Day in 2020, and I look around and they were candles at every house. It didn’t stop Australians from commemorating Anzac Day.”

RAAF Base Darwin commanding officer wing commander Andrew Anthony, with his wife Petra Anthony and their children Christopher, 9, and Everett, 6. Photograph: Che Chorley

Cmdr Anthony’s family has followed his military career across the country and he said it was important to instil to his children the meaning of the day.

“The real importance there for future generations is that we don’t celebrate Anzac Day, we commemorate Anzac Day. It’s about instilling in future generations that war is not something that we aspire to,” he said. “The whole reason for the commemoration for Anzac Day is to remember those who were born before us, and to acknowledge the importance of this, and, and that is what we aspire for. So it’s making sure the younger generation don’t forget those sacrifices, and the sacrifice that would need to be made by their generation should a war break now.”

Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force, a break from tradition will see the RAAF, navy and Military contingents of the Anzac Day march led by members of the RAAF.

RAAF Base Darwin commanding officer wing commander Andrew Anthony, with his wife Petra Anthony and their children Christopher, 9, and Everett, 6. Photograph: Che Chorley

“It’s an amazing milestone for the Australian air force, the world’s second independent air force, our 100th anniversary is a time for us to also remember those 11,000 air force members who have sacrificed their lives in times of conflict,” Cmdr Anthony said.

“While the Australian air force may have been forged after World War One and after the Anzac landing we still look at the dedication and courage that those Anzacs show, and look at instilling that in our values today.”