ANZAC Commemorations In Isolation

The coronavirus pandemic has certainly changed aspects of our lives but the challenges of isolation have been successfully addressed by many when it comes to commemorating ANZAC Day.

A social media campaign encouraged participants to stand at the end of their driveways, in their front yards, or on their balconies at dawn on 25th April 2020.

Our lead photo shows FOTOBAI President Bruce Waxman and family standing at the end of their driveway in Merricks North Vic this morning as part of the #StandTo initiative set up by the RSL. It certainly helps to have a trumpeter in the family.

Australian War Memorial Canberra

Traditional centres of ANZAC Day gatherings like the Shrine of Rememberance and Australian War Memorial were eerily devoid of crowds this morning but there is a sense that individual commemorations like the one shown above have maintained the very strong association that Australians (and New Zealanders) hold with the ANZAC story. 

We are already receiving messages from members of the Odd Bod family in Australia and across the globe about their participation on this special day. Feel free to send us your experiences.

And just a note that the photo of the eternal flame at the Australian War Memorial was posted by the ABC this morning from the same courtyard that houses our Odd Bods bronze plaque.

Frank Sims With His Family In The Driveway Of Their Home On ANZAC Day 2020

Frank Sims has once again featured in the media with an interview from his driveway at dawn this morning. Frank talked about the way he normally celebrates ANZAC Day and although it is not the same this year he believes this is a very good way of commemorating the event.
You can see the full interview by going to this link - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-25/melbourne-anzac-day-wwii-vet-frank-sims-celebrates-in-driveway/12184530

POSTSCRIPT:
25/4/2020 A message from Bryan Wilcockson in UK this morning: "My thoughts are with you all on this ‘virtual’ ANZAC day. Maybe the first time in history that social distancing means there cannot be a parade, hopefully the last, but that does not mean that we cannot remember.
I’ll be wearing my ANZAC badges (tomorrow for me, today for you) around forgotten airfields. Maybe nobody will see them, but heroes don’t have to be seen to be remembered.
Enjoy the day! - Wombat"

Posted By Carol McCabe on Facebook - "Fantastic ODDBODS. Well done. I was outside my house high up in Toowoomba with views to the east. My dad was a longterm ODDBODS member in Victoria and made the banner which is at Heidelberg Repat. Dad and mum came up to Toowoomba to be with me in the 90s and dad passed away peacefully at the local RSL nursing home some years later."