Local News

An ANZAC Day to remember

ANZAC Day 2020 was one we will never forget, as commemoration services around the country were cancelled due to social distancing laws and community gatherings, surrounding the COVID-19 virus.

Maclean RSL sub-branch president Steve Walton, laying a wreath at 6am on ANZAC Day. Image: Lynne Mowbray

The community instead were encouraged to walk to the end of their driveway at 6am and light a candle to pay their respects to our diggers, who gave so much to make this country what it is today.

Throughout the day, social media was awash with posts and tributes to family members who had served over the years. Photos of the many tributes and handmade wreaths proudly displayed by children during the candlelight dawn driveway services, were also posted online.

Instead of the hundreds who normally turn out for both the dawn and the 11am services at cenotaphs around the valley, only a few people turned up to lay wreaths and reflect briefly before moving on.

In Maclean, solo piper Ross McLachlan attended the cenotaph at dawn and the sound of bagpipes could be heard echoing around the town, as if to send out a haunting message that our diggers were not forgotten.

Many people who were out exercising, paused for a moment at the cenotaph before continuing their way. One gent was spotted walking his dog, proudly wearing his medals.

At 1100 hours solo piper Dennis Darke played his bagpipes at the Ulmarra cenotaph, as a few wreaths were laid, followed by a young bugler playing the Last Post.

In Grafton and South Grafton community members including students attended the cenotaphs throughout the day, to lay wreaths.

While our country, along with the rest of the world, fights an unseen enemy in the COVID-19 virus, ANZAC Day 2020 is one ANZAC Day that will long be remembered.

It was a day when our ‘socially distancing’ community joined together in unison to pay their respect and thanks, as they stood with candles lit, in their driveways at dawn.

View all the photos, please visit our gallery on our Facebook page: HERE

Catch up on what Clarence Valley Independent did to mark ANZAC Day this year: HERE

Another article by Lynne Mowbray of how Dougherty Villa in Graton spent their ANZAC Day: HERE