ANZAC Day 2020 services and marches have been cancelled across the nation
due to the global outbreak of COVID-19 but Whyalla City Council is honouring the fallen in a quiet, respectful way.
ANZAC banners have again been put up along Nicolson Avenue, to remind people of the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers.
On ANZAC Day itself, a single metal poppy will be placed at each of the remembrance plaques on Essington Lewis Avenue, honouring the memory of the forty-three Whyalla men who have lost their life in battle.
Each poppy is hand-made and individually sculpted, a token of remembrance and respect as well as a symbolic nod to Whyalla’s proud industrial and steelmaking history.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s dawn service will have only five participants, including RSL representatives and Whyalla Mayor, Clare McLaughlin, representing the people of Whyalla.
Members of the public are not permitted to attend and there will be no chairs available.
There will be no march from the RSL Clubrooms to the Memorial Oval gates this year and the Whyalla RSL will be closed on ANZAC Day.
The Whyalla RSL has advised that members of the public are able to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph, during the day, provided they adhere to social distancing requirements.
“This year is like no other due to coronavirus and the social distancing rules. But people can still take part in the commemoration of our ANZAC’s by paying their respects from their driveways and either listening to the 5YYY service or watching the Facebook stream,” said Mayor McLaughlin.
“It’s very important that we continue to observe the social distancing rules, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all observe the rising of the sun,” she said.
Triple Y will be broadcasting the service live on their Facebook page.
You can also tune into the radio - FM107.7 - to listen to the service.
The broadcast will start from 6am and will run for approximately 20 minutes.