Tom Gannon
As the state government eases restrictions surrounding Anzac Day services, Latrobe Valley RSLs say this year’s commemorative services will go ahead as usual.
This follows announcements from the state government allowing a maximum of 5500 people to participate in the march along St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne’s CBD.
RSL Victoria has been working with the state government and the Anzac Day Commemoration Council on allowing statewide COVIDSafe commemorations after over a year of uncertainty as to whether Anzac Day services would be able to recommence with public attendance.
Morwell RSL president Wayne Hutchinson said the day would follow a relatively identical structure to previous years.
Mr Hutchinson said the importance of this year’s commemorative service should be highlighted.
“Everyone is really looking forward to the Anzac Day commemorations since people missed out last year because of COVID restrictions,” he said.
“We’ve got a pretty elderly community so for a lot of people it’s possibly their last chance to get together and remember their mates.”
The day will commence with the standard 6am dawn service which includes The Last Post and a minute silence as well as laying of wreaths by community members and local school captains at the Morwell cenotaph.
Attendees will then follow veterans as they march the short distance to the Morwell RSL.
The RSL will be open to the public, however veterans will have exclusive access to the Anzac room inside the venue.
The day will then resume at 10:30am with the main service and the placing of poppies at the cenotaph.
Although many are keen to leave behind the year that was 2020, Traralgon RSL president Ronald Culliver said some features from last year’s service will be readopted.
“We’d like people who turn up to the dawn service to bring a candle with them, just to create a bit of atmosphere. We had candles at the end of the driveway last year, I did one at my house and it looked great,” he said.
This stance is also mirrored by RSL Victoria president Dr Rob Webster.
“This year we ask all Victorians to take part in one of the many COVIDSafe Anzac commemorative activities happening across the state. Stand in your driveway, on the balcony, watch the service on your phone or TV, listen to services on the radio or go to a local event. There are many ways that we can all remember this Anzac Day,” he said.
