By Cam Lucadou-Wells
For the first time in more than 100 years, no ANZAC Day services will be held at the nation’s cenotaphs.
The once-unthinkable shutdown is part of public health measures to curtail mass gatherings and hence the spread of Covid-19 virus.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL president John Wells was “devastated” by the halting of traditional marches and ceremonies on 25 April.
Usually Anzac Day attracts masses of veterans and families paying tribute to them at the Pillars of Freedom cenotaph and afterwards for two-up and free refreshments at the Dandenong RSL clubrooms.
This year, like many, Mr Wells will stand at the foot of his home driveway at 6am – to the bugled tune of Reveille.
“There’s not much else we can do. How we celebrate it and whether we celebrate it will say what we are.
“We will have Anzac Day – it is inextricably a part of our culture. And next year we will be bigger and better than ever.”
As a double-blow, RSL branches in Dandenong, Cranbourne and Pakenham have also cancelled in-person services at aged care homes and schools.
Also lost are ANZAC Appeal activities that raise vital money for veteran’s welfare.
Mr Wells said the appeal’s shutdown would cost Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL about 45 per cent of its welfare revenue but vowed the club would “come through the other side”.
“Dandenong RSL has become a welfare hub … and it will be damaged.
“We’ve got about 10 months of cash to survive on.”
Dandenong Cranbourne RSL will prepare a short digital ceremony on its website for its aged-care veterans.
Pakenham RSL president Gary Elliott lamented the “strange” loss of a public ceremony on ANZAC Day but agreed with the clampdown on coronavirus.
“It will be a very quiet occasion.
“We can only hope that people will remember the day, and they’ll stand in front of their driveways and observe a minute’s silence at 6am.
“That’s the best Australia can hope for.”
In a slither of “silver lining”, Mr Wells is seeing another side of community spirit emerge as neighbours offer help to each other during the coronavirus lockdown.
That represents those ‘ANZAC’ virtues of mateship, looking after each other, self-reliance, courage, duty and patriotism, Mr Wells says.
“Now is a chance to see how much these things are part of our society.
“We can be tough. We can be strong people if we just remind ourselves that we are.
“Our ancestors have gone through terrible things – droughts, depressions and God knows what.
“With Anzac Day, the important thing is not just to look at the past but what the past symbolizes for the future.”
