RSL Victoria has joined RSL National and the other State and Territory RSL Branches to support the ANZAC Spirit campaign.
The ANZAC Spirit campaign is a concept developed by RSL Queensland in collaboration with RSL Victoria and RSL New South Wales.
The campaign seeks to remind Australians that when times are tough, they can rely on the ANZAC spirit to get them through.
It is the RSL’s view that the ANZAC Spirit is compromised of five qualities:
- Courage – we overcome fears
- Ingenuity – we adapt and overcome
- Humour – we look on the bright side
- Endurance – we don’t give up easily
- Mateship – we look after each other
RSL Victoria State President, Dr Robert Webster OAM, said that there is great strength in the tradition of the ANZACs that our nation can draw on in times of crisis.
“As Australians face continued uncertainty due to COVID-19, the RSL want to remind every Australian that they too bear the qualities of ANZAC – courage, ingenuity, humour, endurance and mateship – within themselves,” Dr Webster said.
RSL Victoria is also endorsing the growing movement encouraging Australians to engage in ‘driveway commemoration’ on ANZAC Day.
Dr Webster said “The RSL has been overwhelmed by the positive suggestions from the public on alternative ways to commemorate ANZAC Day since we announced that many of our traditional ANZAC Day services would be cancelled to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“The RSL is endorsing the Light Up the Dawn Campaign nationwide. At 6 am on ANZAC Day, the RSL is asking all Australians to walk outside, and stand in their yard, driveway, or on their balcony and observe a minute of silence in respect of our current service personnel and veterans. Australians are encouraged to take a candle, a torch or phone with them, to help Light Up The Dawn and to celebrate that ANZAC Spirit,” Dr Webster said.
RSL Victoria is also asking Victorians to take a picture of themselves while they commemorate and share it on social media using the hashtag #STANDTO.
Dr Webster explained “In the Australian Defence Force, Stand To refers to a state of readiness assumed by ground troops at dawn and dusk during wartime. We wanted to take the notion of Stand To and use it to galvanise Victorians in amplifying their commemoration on ANZAC Day online,” he said.
“We may be physically isolated, but the ANZAC Spirit unites us. Lest We Forget,” Dr Webster said.
