ANZAC Day is one of just two days a year when the nation stops to reflect on the incredible service and sacrifice of our war veterans. While this year, we’re stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, it’s more important than ever to celebrate. The 2020 service will mark the first ANZAC Day since WWII without a traditional Dawn Service – but while events have been cancelled across the country, there are still ways you can honour those who served.
Below, the different initiatives that are happening this ANZAC Day:
Driveway Dawn Service
Australians will participate in a unique Driveway Dawn Service, where thousands are anticipated to stand at the end of their driveways or on their balconies at 6 am on Saturday, April 25 and tune into a radio station that will stream The Last Post, The Ode and a one minute’s silence.
Send A Card
Since organisations like Legacy, War Widows Guild and RSL haven’t been able to do their usual fundraising efforts due to social distancing restrictions, Cardly has started an initiative so that people around Australia can honour our veterans this ANZAC Day by sending them a card, whilst also fundraising for these great causes.
#LightUpTheDawn
RSL has launched the #standto and #lightupthedawn campaign, asking people to stand in their driveways, balconies, front gardens and light a candle or use their phones to commemorate the dawn service.”We are asking people to gather at the end of their driveway, their balcony or window and in place of going to a dawn service, gather there,” Anzac 360’s Justin Lees said. “They can listen to a streaming service from the Australian War memorial at the same time and they can hold a candle or, we are producing a virtual candle in our masthead apps for people to hold.”