Anzac Day will be different this year but we can all still commemorate and pay service to our diggers on this special day.
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and social distancing regulations, the public is not able to attend Anzac Day services as we have in previous years.
However, there are a number of ways the community can show their support for our armed services and reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
On Saturday, 25 April, Northern Grampians Shire Council will be live streaming the dawn service in Stawell via our Facebook Page for everyone to tune in and virtually attend the ceremony.
Council will also be playing the Last Post from the town hall clock tower in Stawell at 6am, 12pm and 3pm on Saturday.
Residents are also encouraged to join in the “Driveway at Dawn” initiative and stand in their driveways on Saturday morning to commemorate the servicemen and women of our defence forces.
Soldier On has partnered with the founders of Driveway at Dawn, a group of volunteers called “Aussies and Kiwis for ANZACs” to enable everyone to join in at 5.55am on Anzac day.
An app has been released on both Android and Apple, that will feature a virtual candle and synchronised playing of the Last Post at precisely 6am.
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Murray Emerson, encourages everyone to share the ways they will be marking Anzac Day in their homes.
“Anzac Day is a day for community, a day that unites us as Australians, and while we cannot be together this year, we can still virtually come together as a community to show our support for our fallen and current servicemen and women,” he said.
“By standing together in the dawn light in our driveways, by participating in services on television or online, by marking a minute silence, and placing poppies in our windows or on fences, all these acts prove while we must be distant, we are still here together remembering and reflecting on the spirit of the Anzac.”
“I encourage everyone to share on social media or virtually with friends and family how you will be honouring our Anzacs so we can still be together while keeping our distance.”
The National Anzac Day Commemoration at the Australian War Memorial will be broadcast live nationally by the ABC and streamed online along with other Anzac Day programming.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has provided resources and assistance online for people planning an Anzac Day commemoration at home. Click here to access the Anzac Portal on their website.
Other Anzac Day commemorations in the region:
Great Western – The fire siren from the CFA station will sound for a minute silence at 10am.
St Arnaud – 11am driveway service – residents encouraged to observe a minutes silence.
Navarre – Dawn driveway service – residents encouraged to observe a minutes silence.
Halls Gap – Dawn driveway service – residents encouraged to observe a minutes silence.
Marnoo – Dawn driveway service – residents encouraged to observe a minutes silence.
