Moree residents urged to head to the driveway on Anzac Day morning for unique service
FOR the first time in 100 years Anzac Day ceremonies and marches across Australia have been cancelled because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.
On Anzac Day this year the streets will be deserted and RSL Clubs across the nation will be closed. Dawn services with a hit of rum and Bonox afterwards will not be held, and marches or traditional afternoon games of two-up will be non-existent.
But tens of thousands of people across Australia – and abroad – will stand proudly on Saturday morning to recognise past and current armed services personnel.
In true Aussie spirit, a nationwide campaign to honour the fallen who fought for our country is gaining momentum at a rapid rate.
Residents are being asked to stand at the head of their driveways, out on kerbsides and nature strips, atop balconies and on front decks and verandahs, and observe one minute’s silence at 6am on April 25.
And the Moree Show Society has thrown its full support behind the concept.
In fact, society president Brendan Munn and show-day ringmaster Andrew Pitman are determined to make it an Anzac Day Moree will remember for a long, long time.
The Moree Show was to be held this weekend as well, originally scheduled to start on Friday and wind up on Anzac Day.
However, because of social distancing requirements the 2020 edition has been postponed until August 14-15.
But while the Moree Showground will be somewhat deserted early Saturday, the Anzac Ode and Last Post will play loudly across the township at 6am from speakers perched on a giant boom kindly supplied by Coates Hire.
Mr Munn encourages all residents to join the national driveway remembrance ceremony and pause, remember and say a silent thank-you to past and current armed services personnel.
“We thought the people of Moree would really appreciate something like this,” Mr Munn said.
“Coates Hire has really gotten behind us and we will use their 80-foot boom for the speakers, and I’ll be lifting them as high as I can possibly get them.”
Moree residents are urged to join the “driveway tribute” at 5.50am on Saturday morning.
“The speakers have a seven-kilometre range so everyone in Moree will be able to hear Andrew read the ode and listen to the Last Post being played,” Mr Munn said.
Words: Bill Poulos