Services and marches were back this year to mark ANZAC Day on 25 April.
In a stark contrast to last year’s televised services only, public ceremonies at dawn saw Australians gather at War Memorials around the country.
Western Australia was the exceptions with services in the Perth and Peel regions cancelled as part of the three-day lockdown announced on Friday following Covid community transmission linked to hotel quarantine.
But in most places services and marches took place with limited crowds.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison lays a wreath at the Anzac Day National Ceremony. @SBSNews #AnzacDay pic.twitter.com/qnucZ0f6x8
— Tom Stayner (@StaynerThomas) April 25, 2021
In Sydney, a total of 10,000 people were allowed to march in the ANZAC Day parade, while a maximum of 5,000 veterans and 500 banner bearers/assistance people were permitted to march along St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance.
Melbourne’s Hellenic RSL did not have the opportunity to march as a unit.
Though commemorations peaked on Sunday, the Anzac spirit was honoured with events leading up to the 106th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
On Friday, Oakleigh Grammar held its annual Remembrance Day Assembly, with students students proudly presented readings, poems and the choir singing in unison.
A special guest at the event was Secretary of the Ringwood RSL Women’s Auxiliary, Shirley Devery, whose father ThomasDevery had served with the 2/6th Battalion in Crete.
‘A Minute Silence’ was held by the 620 students and staff, while the day concluded with group of student and school representatives gathering around the memorial plaque at the front gates, to lay the wreath.
