ANZAC Day 2020 will not look like the ANZAC Day that so many of us are used to participating in. All public ANZAC Day events (including services and marches) on the Mornington Peninsula have been cancelled.
The decision was made in line with Returned Services League Victoria and the State Government’s decision to cancel public ANZAC Day commemorative services and marches scheduled for Saturday 25 April 2020.
While people can’t attend a local Dawn Service, the RSL is asking that instead you stand in your yard, driveway, or on your balcony and observe a minute of silence as the Last Post is played during the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.
The Dawn Service will be streamed online at RSL Victoria’s Facebook page at 6am on Saturday 25 April, and the public is encouraged to share a picture of themselves paying their respects to our veterans with the hashtag #standto.
Due to the current medical climate, RSL Victoria will confirm closer to the date whether the Dawn Service will be televised live.
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Councillor Sam Hearn said “While it is very disappointing to everyone that our local ANZAC Day events have been cancelled, our priority right now is to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, many of whom are veterans.
“However, we must all still take the time to stop on ANZAC Day and remember with gratitude in our hearts those who’ve made incredible sacrifices for others during past moments of conflict and crisis.
“It is more important than ever to check in with our elderly and vulnerable, and so I urge our community to take extra care of each other in the lead up to, and after ANZAC Day.”
