Coronavirus: Melbourne’s Anzac Day march cancelled by Victorian RSL

Melbourne’s Anzac Day march has been cancelled 10 weeks ahead of the national day of ­remembrance, as other states and territories seek to push ahead with their plans.

Jessica Kearney with partner Joshua Lister and children Alexis, 12, and Atlas, 9, will honour the Anzacs with a driveway vigil if marches are cancelled. Picture: Roy Van Der Vegt

Melbourne’s Anzac Day march has been cancelled 10 weeks ahead of the national day of ­remembrance, as other states and territories seek to push ahead with their plans.

RSL Victoria chief executive Jamie Twidale said on Thursday the decision had been made to call off the Anzac Day march along St Kilda Road — usually attended by about 12,000 veterans — for the second year in a row.

“In late January, we had to make decisions about whether or not the march would go ahead,” he said. “With the unknown ­nature of how COVID was going to play out over next few months … to do a big CBD march would be very complicated.”

Mr Twidale said although the decision to cancel was made ­earlier this year, the “latest series of outbreaks shows you how quickly things could change”. Instead, a smaller commemoration will be held at the Shrine of ­Remembrance.

“We just didn’t feel it was in the public’s best interest,” Mr Twidale said on 3AW radio.

Despite the unexpected cancellation, RSL clubs from other states and territories reaffirmed their commitment to host an Anzac Day march so long as any commemorations heeded public health advice.

RSL South Australia Anzac Day committee chair Ian Smith said he would do his “level best” to ensure a scaled-back march went ahead in Adelaide on April 25.

“We made an early decision to do it if we possibly could … we will march four abreast; normally it is six. It will be spaced out to meet COVID requirements,” he said.

RSL associations also said marches in Brisbane, Perth and Darwin were likely to go ahead in line with COVID-19 protocols and in consultation with health departments. Branches in the ACT and Tasmania did not respond to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for RSL NSW said the Sydney CBD march would go ahead with a limit of 500 people.

Victorian opposition veterans’ affairs spokesman Tim Bull said he was “surprised” by the decision to cancel the march.

“I hope common sense prevails and the circumstances in late April — not in mid-February — are the first con­sid­eration in ­restrictions imposed on the day’s commemorative ser­vices,” Mr Bull said.

While RSL Victoria announced the Anzac Day march would not go ahead, the Light Up The Dawn campaign would be launched again where people across the country are encouraged to host a vigil in their driveways on April 25.

Jessica Kearney of Adelaide, whose stepfather is heavily ­involved with RSL South Australia, said she would happily stay home with her children and husband for a second year running to remember those who had died, served or were serving in the ­Defence ­Forces.

“I would like to take the kids since we didn’t get to (the march) last year … but if we can’t get to the actual memorial, we could go to my parents’ place to do it (Light Up The Dawn),” Ms Kearney said.

Ms Kearney’s stepfather, Keith Harrison, was an army reservist with 10/27 Royal South Australia Regiment for eight years based in Adelaide. The 62-year-old did not serve overseas, and is the RSL South Australia commemorations manager.