‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them. Lest we forget.’
Due to the unique nature of Anzac Day commemorations this year, the Australian War Memorial and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs have launched a series of initiatives that will allow people to honour those who have served, and continue to serve, in Australia’s armed forces.
More than 40 pieces of emotive content and digital activations have been developed for the Memorial’s website and social media channels in the lead up to and on Anzac Day, giving Australians an opportunity to honour Australian servicemen and servicewomen from the safety of their homes.
The material, hosted on the Memorial’s website, includes:
- An overview of Anzac Day through the years, showcasing the evolution and significance of the veterans’ march from the First World War to today.
- A commemoration of the Indigenous servicemen and women and their contributions to service to Australia, past and present.
- Personal messages from modern day servicemen and servicewomen from where they are currently deployed.
- Readings of ‘For the Fallen’, a poem by Robert Laurence Binyon, AFL and AFLW captains and players. Members of the public will be encouraged to share their own renditions on social media using: #forthefallen.
- A series of films with celebrity chef Matt Moran and Sydney cake queen Katherine Sabbath, which will include recipes for a ‘Gunfire Breakfast’ and Anzac biscuits.
- A range of personal interviews from veterans, and historical packages looking back from the First World War up to modern day peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
- An interactive portal that will allow people to place a virtual poppy and personal message on the wall in honour of the fallen, which in turn can be shared on social media (http://lestweforget.gov.au).
- A live feed from Memorials and cenotaphs at dawn in capital cities around Australia.
Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is encouraging Australians to join together by individually commemorating with a personal reflection at 11.30am AEST – 4.30am in Gallipoli – a time that broadly represents the landings at Gallipoli at dawn on 25 April 1915.
ABC and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs have produced a video and audio personal reflection piece, to help Australians with their personal reflection at 11.30am. This consists of the ode (above), a minute’s silence and the last post. The video and audio personal reflection piece is available to download at https://bit.ly/2VMeCG0.
For more information on Anzac Day commemorations from home, visit https://www.awm.gov.au/anzacathome.
