Anzac Day on the Gold Coast is going to look a lot different in 2020. With all of us in isolation and staying at home as much as we can, there will be no Anzac Day dawn service or march that we'll be able to attend.
To help commemorate our fallen diggers, there are many events still taking place around the country. From online dawn services to the last post being played from driveways in suburbs around the country, here's how you can get involved and commemorate Anzac Day this year.
Can You Attend A Dawn Service?
No. Dawn services and parades have been cancelled around the country due to the spread of COVID-19.
The Australian War Memorial will hold a commemorative dawn service at 5:30am which will be shown live on ABC.
RSL's across Queensland have suggested Australians stand at the end of their driveway, or on their balcony at 6am for a moment of reflection. Once you're out there, don't go inside too quickly as the flypast will still be occuring from Brisbane all the way down to Tweed Heads (take-off is from Archerfield at 5.45am). Want more? Tune in at 11am to a live stream of a private service at Currumbin RSL.
What Can I Do To Support Veterans?
Send them a special Anzac Day card to show your respect and gratitude. Queensland start-up, Cardly, is working with ex-service organisations such as Legacy, War Widows Guild and RSL Lifecare to help send out thank you cards to our country’s heroes who are in isolation. Jump on their website here and you can choose from their range of artist-designed cards, write a personal message (or choose from their templates) and then they’ll print it and send it to a veteran or veteran’s family. Each card costs $4 with all profits from sales going to Legacy, a charity providing services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service. You have until Monday 27 April to jump over to their site and select a card, so if you like to leave things until the last minute, or post-event, you’re in luck. Find out more here.
Is Monday A Public Holiday?
Only Western Australia and the ACT observe a public holiday with Anzac Day falling on a Saturday.
You can read the differences in each state here.
Feel like making some Anzac biscuits? Check out this recipe.
Image credit: Marina Mazur