By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2020
This Anzac Day is going to be very different to those in the past. You won’t be able to get up to pay your respects at a dawn service or attend an Anzac Day parade.
However, you can honour our armed services from home while practicing social distancing.
Get social
In the lead-up to Anzac Day, people are being encouraged to record a video of themselves reciting The Ode.
Show Australia your efforts by posting to social media along with the hashtag #LightUpTheDawn.
A new dawn (service)
For a dawn service with a difference, pay your respects to our veterans by standing in your driveway or living room at 6am on April 25.
Light a candle and hold a personalised service from the comfort of your own home. RSL South Australia has a guide for home services, with links to bugle calls, national anthems and music.
Of course, you can still watch the dawn service on TV or the internet.
The Australian War Memorial will hold a private, nationally televised Anzac Day commemorative service. It’ll be held in the Commemorative area and Hall of Memory at 5.30am AEST and will be broadcast across Australia by the ABC and streamed online.
Due to COVID-19, the traditional dawn service, national ceremony and veterans’ march will not take place in 2020.
Delve into our history
If you want to learn more about the armed service and what they’ve done for our country, you can visit the Virtual War Memorial Australia.
You’ll find galleries, information about Australia’s war efforts, and educational programs for young people. Have your ancestors served in Australia’s armed forces? Search the database and see if you can find their names.
Colour your world
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids on Anzac Day, RAA has a colouring-in activity that’ll keep them busy for a couple of hours.
Once the artwork is complete, take a photo and post in on social media. Tag RAA on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and we’ll donate $2 to help support local veterans and their families.