ANZAC spirit remains unbowed by COVID-19 pandemic

  • First time traditional ANZAC Day services have been cancelled since World War 2
  • No dawn service or special events to be held at Kings Park War Memorial this year
  • Western Australians encouraged to personalise the way we honour our veterans
  • ABC radio and television to broadcast ANZAC Day commemorative services  
  • Premier Mark McGowan and Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley are encouraging Western Australians to commemorate ANZAC Day and our veterans at home this year.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked the first cancellation of traditional ANZAC Day services since World War 2.

    This year all Western Australians are encouraged to stay home to keep our community safe and are reminded the traditional dawn service at Kings Park War Memorial is cancelled.

    But Western Australians can still pay tribute in a more personal way to the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives for our country.

    The RSLWA is urging Western Australians to take part in a ‘home’ ANZAC Day Dawn Service by standing at the end of their driveways, or on their balconies, in quiet contemplation at 5:55am on April 25.

    At about 5.55am, ABC Radio and ABCTV will broadcast The Last Post, followed by a minute of silence as part of the National Memorial Service program by the Australian War Memorial.

    At 11.30am, ABC Radio and ABCTV will also broadcast a two-minute reflection which will include The Ode and The Last Post, followed by a minute of silence.

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “This is the first time since World War 2 traditional ANZAC Day services are not being held – any other year thousands of people would visit our memorials and line the streets to say thank you to our veterans and soldiers.

    “This year we need to stay home to keep our communities safe from COVID-19 – I know this will be hard for many of us, but for the safety of everyone please do not attend any public memorials.

    “However this in no way diminishes the meaning and importance of ANZAC Day to Western Australians.

    “There are many other ways to pay our respects – the RSL is encouraging people to stand at the end of their driveways at 5.55am for a moment of silent contemplation.

    “Memorial services, including the Last Post and minute of silence, will be broadcast on both ABC Radio and ABCTV.”

    As stated by Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley:

    “Every ANZAC Day, we pause to remember those who fought and died since that day in 1915 and to honour those who have defended our values and freedoms, in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

    “From an Australian population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men and women, including 32,231 Western Australians enlisted for World War One – also known as the Great War.

    “Western Australians were presented with 10 of the 64 Victoria Crosses awarded to members of the First Australian Imperial Force.

    “During World War II, 61,575 Western Australians enlisted – the highest number per capita of any Australian State or Territory.

    “In the 106 years since the outbreak of World War One, there remains an enduring significance of their sacrifice in the hearts and minds of Australians.

    “The ANZAC spirit carried Australians through World War II, the Malayan Emergency, the Korean War, Borneo, Vietnam and more recently, Iraq and Afghanistan.

    “In 2020, in these most unusual circumstances, we can still pause and we can still remember.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.