Memorable Anzac Day 2020

Anzac Day 2020 will be different and I am sure will not be forgotten for many years. In two days time Australians will try to celebrate Anzac Day – but in a way that is foreign to us.  The Covit-19 Virus has changed everything.  As large groups of people cannot meet together as we have done for many years, the big events, the march through the capital cities and country towns, the dawn services are all cancelled.

Our compromise is holding candle ceremonies in the driveway of our homes – as long as we are no closer than 1.5 meters from everyone else.  We will play music and the Last Post via our phones, but it will not be the same.  Better than nothing, that’s all.

Making Anzac Biscuits

At this time, it is common to make Anzac Biscuits and I have done so.  I made one batch yesterday and will probably make more tomorrow.  They are easy to make, as long as you can get all the ingredients, which is also a problem during this virus.

The ingredients are simple: plain flour, butter, rolled oats, golden syrup, sugar, water, bicarb soda, and coconut.  (I am not a great fan of coconut, so I omit this ingredient and no one who eats them notices!)

Tea and Anzac Biscuit

Here is a recipe for coconut free biscuits.  Click here.  

Light Up the Dawn in your Driveway

One way we can participate in Anzac Day is to go to our driveways, with a candle and light up the dawn.  Families can stand together, but strangers must ensure that they are 1.5 meters away from others.  Various music and the Last Post will be available on our mobile phones, though musicians may play the music live.

I have put reminder notices on the letter boxes of the three groups of units here, so it will be interesting to see how many/who turns up.  I made no mention of candles – some folk will and some won’t.  So it will be a different Anzac Day for Australians in 2020.

My Memories of Anzac Day in My Childhood.

My parents were both in the Armed Forces, during World War II, but remained in Australia.  My father had issues with the army, and as a result, we didn’t go to Anzac Day events that I recall.  After I left home (and I don’t things changed because of that) he started going to ceremonies at the Brighton Jetty, South Australia.  My sister talks about it – for I understand he continued to do that well in his later years.   An experience I was never to have with my parents.  However, in Brisbane, we went to the march in Brisbane City, and at Wynnum.  When I lived in Beachmere I attended the events there.

In the Forces in Alice Springs

It was when my father was in the Army that he spent time in Alice Springs, perhaps around the Pine Gap US Military base.  He became very unwell there and was transported to Melbourne to the Heidelberg Hospital for several weeks and was discharged from the hospital and the Army, because of his health issues.  However, a few days later he re-enlisted, but with a caveat that he could not serve overseas because of his health issues.  It was that experienced that played on his mind for a long time.

A Day of  Anzac Tears

Despite my lack of connection with people involved in the wars, I do find it a very emotional day.  I do tear up quite a bit, but especially at home when I watch the interviews and news items on television.  I am quite an emotional person at different times, and I like to be alone as I shed my tears.  I think that will be the case this year.