ANZAC Day 2020

Following discussions with the NSW Government, RSL NSW made the decision to cancel all public ANZAC Day commemoration services across the state. RSL NSW has on its website a number of ways to acknowledge and commemorate ANZAC Day. Councillors will be laying wreaths at cenotaphs on behalf of the community.

“ANZAC Day 2020 will be very different to ANZAC Days of previous years. Given current restrictions on travel and gatherings due to COVID-19, the usual ANZAC Day ceremonies will not proceed”, said Council’s Mayor, Cr. Ray Thompson.

“I encourage community members to refer to the RSL NSW website for suggestions on ways to appropriately commemorate ANZAC Day 2020”, continued Mayor Thompson.

RSL NSW has listed the following ways to commemorate ANZAC Day 2020: 1. Record yourself reciting the ode or sharing a message of support for veterans; 2. Light up the dawn (driveway tribute at 6 a.m. or 11 a.m.); 3. Tune into live commemorative services; 4. Reach out to a mate who might be alone; and 5. Donate to the ANZAC Appeal online.

The community is asked to respect the current travel and gatherings restrictions on ANZAC Day. Council has confirmed that local Police will continue their monitoring of public spaces on ANZAC Day, strictly enforcing public gathering restrictions, as mandated by the Public Health Order.

“Councillors will lay wreaths at cenotaphs on behalf of the local community. I thank Councillor Joe Smith for initiating this idea”, said Mayor Thompson.

The Lithgow Highland Pipe Band will honour the fallen and pay tribute to those who have served in times of war and peace. Members of the Band will join pipers around Australia and New Zealand in an event from their driveways at 11 a.m. on Anzac Day.

More information is available on the RSL NSW website: https://www.rslnsw.org.au/news/using-ingenuity-to-commemorate-anzac-day-differently/