“The spirit of Anzac Day is one of remembrance of sacrifice and this year is no different; however, we’ve got to do that remembering at home,” said bugler Peter Carrett who has played the Last Post at Wee Waa Anzac Day ceremonies for close to 40 years.
There will be no public gatherings to commemorate Anzac Day this year due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions.
Wee Waa News and The Courier, and community radio station 2Max FM are encouraging Narrabri Shire residents to participate in a ‘silent salute’ at home, in line with the NSW RSL and Veterans’ Affairs Department’s call for private observances.
In this week’s edition of the Wee Waa News and The Courier, Australian ‘hand waver’ flags were distributed and readers are being invited to stand at the end of their driveways, in front of their homes or at their farm gates and hold their flags to observe a minute’s silence at 11am on Anzac Day, Saturday April 25, to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices of our servicemen and women.
At the same time, 2MAX FM will be broadcasting the Last Post and encouraging people to tune in to remember all those who have served in wars and conflicts.
The Last Post will also be sounded through the loudspeakers of the town clock, Wee Waa’s War Memorial at 11am.
Residents are encouraged to send in footage and photos of their Anzac Day observance to [email protected] or [email protected] and the photos will be made into a video presentation by Jamie Condon of JAC Productions as well as being printed in future editions and online.
Mr Carrett said he will also be taking part in a nationwide movement for brass players, and he will be playing his bugle at home, at 6am on Anzac Day as a sign of respect.
“But I will let my neighbours know because it’s a bit rude to be woken up without warning,” added Mr Carrett.
“But I think we need to keep alive that sense of honouring the past and remembering.
“I also think of Anzac Day as a time to give thanks, for the people that have been willing in the past to lay it all on the line and the same thing is happening today, not just with war and conflicts, but also the doctors and nurses who are going into battle for us to save people’s lives.”
Vietnam Veteran Dennis Lowder has also been an integral part of Anzac Day ceremonies in Wee Waa for many years and said he believed it was important that people still commemorate Anzac Day and “remember what the sacrifices were for”.
“Australia would not be the country that we are today without the sacrifices of servicemen and women, particularly in the Second World War.
“We are a strong, island nation that can lock ourselves off and as a result can contain a virus a lot better than other countries.
“I think it’s a bit sad that we can’t hold a service as we normally would but I’m sure most people will do as the RSL nationwide is asking – and commemorate at home and have a minute’s silence.”
