Residents of the Dubbo electorate will be able to commemorate ANZAC Day from home this year with a broadcast of special services to honour our veterans and serving Defence personnel.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of traditional ANZAC Day services and events across the country, however Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this provides even more reason to commemorate the day.
“ANZAC Day has a renewed meaning as our community works together to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Saunders said.
“We must never forget those who have served this great country and ANZAC Day is a time to remember them all.
“I have been pleased to see in recent years that so many younger members of our community are being educated about what ANZAC Day means, and we can’t afford to have that disappear.
“No matter where you are on this day, you can still find an opportunity to stop and reflect on what ANZAC means to you and to all of us.”
The day will begin with a 5:30am commemorative servicebroadcast from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, followed by a NSW service at 10am.
The Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Governor Margaret Beazley, RSL NSW Acting President Ray James, a bugler and a vocalist will take part in the 30 minute service from the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park and the Cenotaph in Martin Place.
The NSW Government is encouraging people to share videos reciting The Ode and post photos on social media using the tag #ANZACspirit.
The NSW service will be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on the ANZAC Memorial and RSL Facebook pages. The service will not be open to the public and the community is urged to continue following the latest health advice by commemorating at home.
“Like with so many other events, the 2020 edition of ANZAC Day won’t be what we have become accustomed to, however we will still find ways to support each other and remember what was sacrificed for our freedom,” Mr Saunders said.
“Interestingly, at times like this, we become aware of what freedom really means, both individually and as a community. Lest We Forget.”
Thank you for your timely and informative newsletter Dugald, We are all waiting on an end to this lockdown and the restrictions that are necessary to restrain the growth of the virus. Social distancing can also be debilitating in so many respects, so it is good to hear from our civic leaders as you have done so.
I have observed a number of oldies doing it tough in that their loneliness has been compounded of late, we can only pray that the outcome will be favorable for many that are really feeling the effects of the lockdown.