Here’s How You Can Commemorate ANZAC Day This Saturday

This Saturday will mark the first time ANZAC Day services have been cancelled since World War II, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pay tribute to Australia and New Zealand’s fallen servicemen and women from home.

The Returned & Services League Of Western Australia are inviting the people of Australia to embrace the ANZAC Day spirit in a way that keeps that most at risk (elderly) as safe as possible.

They’re asking people to stand in quiet contemplation at the end of driveways or on your balconies this Saturday 25 April, from 6am.

In the lead-up to the at-home dawn service, various members of the community have been posting announcements on social media, such as Premier Mark McGowan’s today:

In addition to keeping an eye out for – and sharing – these videos, RSLWA are asking people to:

• Have kids work on craft or art projects about ANZAC Day and posting on the RSLWA Facebook Page along with placing in their home windows.
• Posting your own tributes to social media with the hashtag #rslwamateship and #drivewaydawnservice hashtags.
• Donating to the annual ANZAC Appeal (LINK HERE), with funds going to the health, wellbeing and advocacy of veterans.
• Lighting a candle and joining the ANZAC Day driveway dawn service from 5.55am this Saturday.
• Tuning into the ABC and commercial radio for a dawn commemoration that will include The Ode, The Last Post and one-minute’s silence.
• Firing up the family barbie for a traditional gunfire breakfast (bacon, eggs, sausages) along with a mug of (rum-spiked) tea or coffee to toast the fallen.
• Looking skyward for the traditional RAAF fighter jet flyover

Around the country, and the world, the importance of community has never become more valued than during the recent coronavirus pandemic.

This Saturday offers another chance for people to come together as far as allowed, on one of Australia’s most important days.

As RSLWA Chief Executive Officer John McCourt said: “Mateship and the ANZAC spirit are as Australian as billy tea. It will certainly be humbling for the nation to rally together with us at a time when we all need to stand for ourselves and each other on such a special day.”