Anzac Day services will be very different this year with stage three restrictions in place across Victoria due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Recent announcements from the state government around social distancing and limiting gathering in groups of more than two people mean that RSL Sub Branches across the state will not be holding their own services this year. A small service will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance at dawn and will be closed to the public but will be broadcast.
RSL State President Dr Robert Webster OAM acknowledged that there are many exceptions to the rules about assembling in groups for work and other necessary activities but he said that, in consultation with the state government, the RSL no longer felt that it would be socially responsible to hold multiple formal services, even small ones.
“The State Branch is leading planning for a single Victorian Dawn Service to be held at the Shrine of Remembrance. This very small commemorative service will be broadcast and live streamed for all Victorians to view,” Dr Webster said.
“Everyone can be involved from home through the ‘stand to in your driveway’ commemorative campaign. You will soon see this national campaign in the media using various tag lines including stand to, show your Anzac spirit, and light up the dawn.”
As a result, Dimboola will not be holding the usual dawn service and breakfast, Anzac march, mid-morning service, or the social meeting at the Dimboola RSL Hall on Anzac Day – but everyone can still mark the occasion by standing in their driveways, balconies, patios, and front yards at dawn to show their commemoration of the Anzac spirit.
At 6am on Anzac Day Ian Lehmann will be sounding the Last Post in Victoria Street, and a member of the Dimboola RSL Sub Branch will raise and lower the flags at the town’s memorial at the Dimboola Memorial Secondary College, and at the RSL Hall in Lloyd Street.
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