ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a day that unites Australians (and New Zealanders), a day when the country comes together to celebrate and remember. It is a solemn day of remembrance for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and is normally marked each year with large gatherings. I have lost count of the number of ANZAC day school assemblies I have attended over the years, either as a child participating and laying the wreath or as a parent attending and watching my children pay tribute. On the 25th of April every year War Memorials around the world are attended by Australians to celebrate, commemorate and remember.

Freedoms

This year is different. Thanks to Covid and social distancing requirements we are not allowed to hold marches and ceremonies. The irony was not lost on me that as we are trapped in our houses thanks to this virus and it has taken away our ability to commemorate those who fought and gave their lives for our freedom.

Australians are a resilient bunch though and a virus was not going to keep Aussies from celebrating this day. The idea for a Driveway Dawn Service was born and Australians grabbed hold of the idea. Social distancing can be observed while we observe our moment of silence!

Then musician James Morrison put out a call. A call to all musicians to join at 6am by playing the Last Post in your driveway in a movement called Music For Mateship.

My community

I found out about the Music for Mateship via our local community Facebook Group. For a moment I considered dusting off my saxophone and giving it a whirl but I really didn’t think that would be fair on my neighbours, they are already doing it tough with the noise of 3 children, 3 dogs, and my husband and I. Adding practicing saxophone to that mix was too much to ask! Instead I thought I would be better served to photograph the event. I saw a post saying that a family 2 streets away from me would be out and their daughter would be playing the Last Post at 6am.

Abigail is 15 and she played beautifully for those people on the adjoining roads who were out with their candles in the dark. I was very grateful to have the camera in front of my face as she brought a tear to my eye.

It was beautiful driving home and seeing individuals and families at the end of their driveway, candle in hand, some in their finest, some in their dressing gown and everything in between.

Australians standing in the dark and rain (thankfully only a light shower) in candle light united to remember!