Tomorrow, Anzac Day, Saturday 25 April, locals are encouraged to light a candle at the end of their driveway or on their balcony – or in the paddock if you’re out in the bush – at 6am as Australia commemorates our Anzacs during COVID-19.
The Australian War Memorial will hold a nationally-televised Anzac Day Commemorative Service, broadcast live on the ABC across Australia with coverage starting from 5am and crossing to the commemorative service at 5.30am.
This service will be held in the Commemorative Area and Hall of Memory of the Memorial.
ORDER OF SERVICE…
Saturday 25 April 2020 marks the 105th anniversary of the landing of ANZAC troops at Gallipoli.
As occurs each Anzac Day, the ceremony will commence with the sounds of the didgeridoo from the Memorial’s parapet, played in the stillness of the morning by Seaman Lynton Robbins, a Kamilaroi man of the Royal Australian Navy.
Following this, the Anzac Day Commemorative Address will be given by the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia.
During the ceremony, Australia’s Federation Guard will mount a catafalque party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in the Hall of Memory. The ceremony will be attended by dignitaries representing the Commonwealth of Australia, the people of New Zealand, Australian Defence Force, Returned and Services League of Australia, veterans and families.
Traditional elements will include a ceremonial piper, sounding of the Last Post, observance of one minute’s silence and the Reveille. The national anthems of Australia and New Zealand will be sung at the conclusion of the service, with music provided by the Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
A special pre-recorded Last Post Ceremony will be posted to the Memorial’s digital platforms at 4.55 pm on Anzac Day. The ceremony will feature the story of Private Thomas Anderson Whyte of the 10th Battalion AIF — who was killed during the landing at Gallipoli in 1915 — read by Sergeant Shelby Powell of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Note – the Last Post Ceremony at 4.55pm will not be part of the ABC’s coverage and will be streamed by the Memorial on its website at www.awm.gov.au and on Facebook and YouTube.
ABC broadcast coverage: For a comprehensive guide to the ABC’s coverage of Anzac Day activities visit www.abc.net.au
11.30am, Pause and Reflect (Department of Veterans’ Affairs…
On Anzac Day this year all Australians are also encouraged to tune in to the ABC, Channel 9, Channel 7, other networks or many national and local television and radio stations, at 11:30am for an opportunity to pause and reflect. This time, 11.30am, is significant because it was at that time the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli in 1915.
This special four-minute commemoration includes several moving traditional Anzac Day elements – the Ode, the Last Post, one minute’s silence, and Rouse.
The whole nation is encouraged to take part in this moving tribute to acknowledge the more than 102,000 Australians who lost their lives in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations, and the service and sacrifice of those who have worn our military uniform.
