FOR what they have done this we will do — the simple reason all Australians must ensure the legacy of commemoration continues this Anzac Day.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said ANZAC Day was one of the most sacred day of commemoration on the Australian calendar.

“It is a time for us to remember the service and sacrifice of all Australian service personnel who have served our nation for over a century,” Mr Vasta said.

“My electorate of Bonner has a proud history of military service and Anzac Day is an opportunity for us to pay our respects and show our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of all those who have served and provided us with the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Last year, with the challenges of the coronavirus, we found new and creative ways to honour those who serve and have served — driveway vigils at dawn, private floral tributes, and contacting current and former defence personnel to check in and thank them for their service.

“This year, I encourage everyone to attend a local service if possible and show your respect for those who have served, subject to local health advice,” Mr Vasta said.

“At its heart, Anzac Day is a time for personal reflection, and there are a number of ways we can commemorate.

“I have updated my website with a list of Bonner services, as well as information on how you can stream the Australian War Memorial’s Dawn Service.

“I have also shared ways you can commemorate this important date at home, and can download a poppy to display in your home or shop window.

“However you choose to commemorate the day, please do so in a respectful and safe way, ensuring our veterans, current Australian Defence Force members, their families and the thousands of descendants of our veterans know that we value the contribution of those who have served our country.”

For more information on local services, visit www.rossvasta.com.au/community/anzac-day-2021

While the coronavirus pandemic still affects how we do things, there are ways Australians can mark Anzac Day, including:

• Attending a local community dawn or commemorative service (pending the latest health advice).
• Tuning in to the ABC to Watch the Dawn Service and National Ceremony live from the Australian War Memorial.
• Leaving a poppy and personalised Anzac Day message on the Virtual Poppy Wall at https://lestweforget.gov.au alongside thousands of other Australians.
• Taking part in the RSL’s ‘Light up the Dawn’ campaign, which may include standing at the end of your driveway at dawn.
• Exploring the Australian War Memorial’s Anzac At Home content online for videos, activities and recipes at awm.gov.au/anzacathome
• Taking a photo of the local war memorial or honour board and upload it to Places of Pride at placesofpride.awm.gov.au to help build the national register of Australian war memorials.
• Taking part in their own private commemorations in a respectful, solemn and dignified way.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has also released a digital ‘kitbag’, which has a range of practical resources to help people mark Anzac Day — from families, local community groups right through to someone wanting to hold their own private commemoration.

“The kitbag is free and includes posters, sample speeches, orders of service, supporting music, crafts cards on how to make Anzac biscuits, poppies or a wreath and a range of supporting social media assets, including social media banner images,” Mr Vasta said.

“With many options available to commemorate this Anzac Day, as a nation we can all proudly carry on the legacy of acknowledging service and sacrifice on Anzac Day in 2021.”

Visit https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/anzac-day-kitbag to view the Anzac Day kitbag.

Australians can honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving Defence personnel on ANZAC Day from home this year by watching the nationally broadcast Dawn Service from the Australian War Memorial and participating in the RSL’s #lightupthedawn campaign.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while ANZAC Day would be different this year, with no community commemorative services or marches, we would do all we can to honour and commemorate the sacrifice of our Anzacs and thank all those who have served and continue to serve Australia in our defence forces.

“ANZAC Day is a sacred day for all Australians,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is an important time to remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, those who have laid down their lives or suffered great hardship to protect Australians’ way of life.

“This year, we will not be gathering at the local cenotaph, or attending gunfire breakfasts at the local RSL, or gathering together to bow our heads in silence and listen to the bugles at dawn.

“But we will still remember the sacrifice of those who gave so much for us at Gallipoli and on many fronts, as we ourselves give what we can to protect Australian lives while we face this terrible virus.”

This year, a Dawn Service will be broadcast across Australia from the Australian War Memorial.

The Australian Wall Memorial is the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the Roll of Honour which contains the names of the 102,000 servicemen and women who have given their lives for Australia.

In keeping with the national commitment to social distancing, this will be a service without crowds.

The Prime Minister will deliver the commemorative address at the Australian War Memorial’s Dawn Service alongside dignitaries representing Australia, New Zealand, the Returned and Services League, and veterans.

There will be a ceremonial piper, didgeridoo player and bugler among other traditional elements, supplied by the Australian Defence Force.

RSL State and Territory branches are also urging Australians to show their Anzac spirit at home by safely participating in a private dawn service at their own home.

The RSL’s #lightupthedawn campaign year asks Australians to stand in their driveway, balcony or living room, with a torch or candle, immediately following in the televised dawn service, to remember all those who have served and sacrificed.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said Australians were at their best when they come together to support one another and while we couldn’t physically gather to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our Defence personnel, we could show them our respect.

“Whether it’s a solitary driveway tribute, baking Anzac biscuits, a small ceremony with your household, sharing a message for our service personnel, or watching the televised service from the Australian War Memorial on the morning of 25 April, I encourage everyone to pause, reflect and say a simple ‘thank you for your service’,” Mr Chester said.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said his office had some Australian hand waving flags to help share in the ANZAC spirit.

“If you’re taking part in #lightupthedawn, contact my office for some hand waving flags to share in the ANZAC spirit with your neighbours,” Mr Vasta said.

“While we can’t join together to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our fallen soldiers, we can unite in our homes, knowing our neighbours and community are doing the same to remember them.”

The coverage of the commemorative service will take place at the Australian War Memorial on Anzac Day, 25 April 2020, with the ABC starting pre-service coverage from 5am AEST, with the service broadcast live from the Commemorative Area and Hall of Memory from 5.30am AEST.The event will not be open to the public but will be broadcast live across Australia and streamed online.

The ABC will make the broadcast available to other networks under a host broadcaster arrangement to enable people to mark Anzac Day safely and respectfully from home.

For more information and to obtain a flag, call Mr Vasta’s office on 3893 3488.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the local community would pause on Anzac Day to honour the service and sacrifice of all Australian men and women who have served in defence of our country.

Mr Vasta said the following services and marches would be held in Bonner:

Bayside National Service Association
6:10am: Service commences at Memorial at Darling Point-Lower Esplanade, Manly.

Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch
4:15am: Dawn Service commences, followed by Gun Fire Breakfast at the Hall (184 Melville Tce, Manly).
8:00am: Street March commences outside Manly State School (63 Ernest St, Manly) and is followed by the ANZAC Day service at Richard Russell Park, Cambridge Pde, Manly.

Wynnum RSL Sub-Branch
5:00am: Dawn Service commences at Wynnum RSL car park (174 Tingal Rd, Wynnum).
9:00am: March commences from Corner of Bay Tce and Cedar St.
9:30am: Wreath laying ceremony commences at conclusion of March in the RSL car park.

Holland Park-Mt Gravatt RSL Sub-Branch
6:30am: Muster at the corner of Logan Rd and Barter Ave, Holland Park.
6:50am: March commences (walking to Memorial Site, 58 Arnold St, Holland Park).
7:15am: Commemorative Service commences at Memorial Site, 58 Arnold St, Holland Park.

Mr Vasta said Anzac Day was one of the most important dates in our calendar.

“More than 50,000 Australians are estimated to have fought in the Gallipoli campaign, where some 8,700 lost their lives and almost 18,000 were wounded,” Mr Vasta said.

“On Anzac Day, I encourage Australians to take a moment and reflect on the brave men and women who have served our nation in all wars, conflicts and on peacekeeping operations.

“I encourage everyone to attend a service on Anzac Day, or take time to pause, reflect and remember those who have served and those who have given their lives for our country.

“We are forever grateful to the men and women, past and present, who have served in our Army, Navy and Air Force.

“This year also marks the centenary of the Battle of Bullecourt in France, the Battle of Messines, the Battle of Polygon Wood and the Battle of Beersheeva, as well as the 75th anniversaries of the Fall of Singapore, the Bombing of Darwin and the Kokoda campaign — they are all important events from our history that this nation will never forget.

Mr Vasta said any current or former Australian Defence Force personnel who was affected by Anzac Day should contact the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service, which provides free and confidential counselling 24/7 on 1800 011 046.