Matters of Interest

ANZAC Day Commemoration Services

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:18): ANZAC Day, held annually on 25 April, commemorates the anniversary of the Dardanelles campaign landing in 1915 and traditionally sees gatherings of people across Australia and New Zealand at war memorials, RSLs and community precincts to pay their respects. Sadly, ANZAC Day this year will be different from previous years, and the RSL has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel activities, such as the state RSL ANZAC Eve Youth Vigil, dawn service, the ANZAC Day march, the Cross of Sacrifice Service and the ANZAC on Torrens Parade Ground.

Remembrance of service of sacrifice is as important now as it ever has been. Although we may not be able to gather together as we would like to, and as we do ordinarily on ANZAC Day, there are always ways that we can remain connected and pay our respects. One way we can participate is to join the Light up the Dawn service at 6am on ANZAC Day. This year, the RSL will be asking Australians to stand in their driveway, on their balcony or in their living room and remember all those who have served and sacrificed. From 6am, the RSL will be live streaming a commemorative service comprising The Ode and The Last Post, a minute's silence and the national anthem. You can pledge to participate by visiting the RSL website and signing up to the Light up the Dawn service.

The Virtual War Memorial Australia remains active and accessible during this time. For those who are socially distancing and staying at home, now might be an opportunity to find out more about our relatives who served for Australia on active service. You can register for an account with the Virtual War Memorial Australia and contribute pictures and information on your family members who may have served for Australia. Contributions to the Virtual War Memorial Australia from new and existing members are always welcome and such contributions ensure that the sacrifice of our service men and women is forever acknowledged.

For those with little ones at home who might be looking for an activity, I encourage families to visit the RSL education online for an online tutorial on how to make your own poppy wreath. This is a great opportunity for children and adults alike to get creative and demonstrate to a young generation what the ANZAC spirit is all about. Children can then proudly display their poppy wreath on their balcony, front gate or driveway on ANZAC Day.

We all know that gardening is good for our wellbeing. Certainly, regular gardening is beneficial for our mental and physical health. While many of us might be working on a new gardening project, you might consider planting rosemary to mark the occasion of ANZAC Day. The significance of rosemary to ANZAC Day dates to World War I when the native rosemary grew wild on the slopes of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Wounded diggers brought home a small rosemary bush from Anzac Cove to the Army hospital at Keswick in Adelaide. Cuttings from the original plant were propagated in nurseries all over Australia. Sprigs of rosemary are worn at ANZAC Day ceremonies as a reminder of those who served and sacrificed.

The ANZAC appeal which enables the RSL to continue to assist veterans, families and defence personnel with advocacy, emergency accommodation, bill payments, grocery vouchers and wellbeing programs rely on public donations. For those who can, you might consider donating securely by visiting the ANZAC appeal to donate online or at the checkouts at Woolworths supermarket stores. The ANZAC spirit brings together five distinct qualities of mateship, courage, ingenuity, humour and endurance in tough times. These were the defining qualities of the ANZACs when they landed on the beaches of Gallipoli in World War I.

As a nation today, we are reminded that as Australians we can look to the qualities that define the ANZAC generation, and once again draw upon these qualities to help us navigate through these difficult times. The quality of ingenuity in finding a unique way to commemorate Australian service men and women will be an important feature of ANZAC Day this year. While the cancellation of traditional services is incredibly sad/necessary, I know that all of us here can use our ingenuity in thinking of ways to mark this special occasion.