ALL public Anzac Day events on the Mornington Peninsula, including services and marches, have been cancelled due to COVID-19.

The decision was made in line with Returned Services League Victoria and the state government’s decision to cancel Anzac Day commemorative services and marches, Saturday 25 April.

The RSL is asking that people stand in their yards, driveways, or on their balconies and observe a minute’s silence as the Last Post is played during the Anzac Day dawn service.

The service will be streamed online at RSL Victoria’s Facebook page at 6am, and those taking part are encouraged to share a picture of themselves paying their respects to veterans with the hashtag #standto.

Due to the current medical emergency, RSL Victoria will confirm closer to the day whether the dawn service will be televised live.

“While it is very disappointing to everyone that our local Anzac Day events have been cancelled, our priority right now is to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, many of whom are veterans,” Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Sam Hearn said.

“However, we must all still take the time to stop on Anzac Day and remember with gratitude in our hearts those who’ve made incredible sacrifices for others during past moments of conflict and crisis.

“It is more important than ever to check in with our elderly and vulnerable, and so I urge our community to take extra care of each other in the lead up to, and after, Anzac Day.”

Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ANZAC or facebook.com/rslvic

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 14 April 2020