The way we mark ANZAC Day this year is going to be different for everyone.
The City of Greater Geelong recognises ANZAC Day as one of Australia's most important national days of remembrance.
While there will be no public commemorations this Saturday 25 April, the City is showing our respect in the following ways:
- 88 ANZAC Day 2020 vertical banners have been erected across the region.
- Our Outdoor Collection team has continued its work to maintain memorials and monuments.
- Flags will be lowered at six locations on the day: Johnstone Park, City Hall, Geelong West Town Hall, Geelong Waterfront, Melbourne Road (opposite Waterworld) and Portarlington.
- The catenary lights at the corner of Moorabool and Malop streets will also turn red, the colour of poppies.
- An online exhibition curated by our Arts and Culture team, featuring themes of war, wool and work, will launch on Friday 24 April at new website geelongheritagecollections.com.au (live on 24/4/2020)
On Saturday, the mayor and councillors will share an ANZAC Day message in local media and on social media.
Local RSL branches have made private arrangements for the day and ask the public to stay home.
For residents wanting to observe the occasion, RSL Victoria is encouraging Australians to stand in their driveway at home at 6am for a minute of silence, while following current physical distancing and mass gathering restrictions.
For more ways to mark ANZAC Day at home, visit our dedicated web page.
Greater Geelong Mayor - Stephanie Asher
ANZAC Day is such a significant date on Australia's calendar and traditionally it's a day we all come together to commemorate at the many dawn services around our region. Unfortunately this year we'll need to find different ways to pay our respects as we continue to follow restrictions designed to protect us from the coronavirus.
I'm sure we'll all set aside some time on Saturday to reflect on the sacrifices made by those brave men and women who served Australia during World War I and in other conflicts throughout our history. That might be by participating in the RSL's dawn driveway service, in the #ANZACSpirit social media campaign or just in a quiet moment to yourself.
It will also be a good opportunity to remember that Australians are resilient and have always banded together to support each other through times of crisis. Right now, as we face our largest collective challenge since World War II, that's exactly what we're doing again.
