Published on Saturday, 18 April 2020 at 11:29:31 AM
From homemade poppies to a virtual wreath laying, the City of Vincent is finding ways to respectfully commemorate Anzac Day in a time of unprecedented change.
It will be an Anzac Day like no other, but our community can still meaningfully acknowledge the sacrifices of our servicemen and women from home on April 25.
With services across the nation cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RSLWA is instead encouraging people to mark the occasion with a driveway dawn service at 6am. People are encouraged to pay their respects by lighting a candle and standing at the end of their driveway or on their balcony while listening to a dawn commemoration on the radio.
The City of Vincent’s Facebook page will feature a video of Mayor Emma Cole and RSLWA Mount Hawthorn Sub-Branch president Trevor Stiles on Anzac Day. The video will include messages from the pair and the laying of a wreath at Axford Park, where the City’s Anzac Day service usually takes place.
In the lead up, the City will be sharing videos and photos on social media that encourage community members to mark Anzac Day from home. This will include an Anzac biscuit tutorial and an arts and crafts video on poppy wreath making.
“This year we are staying home, but we can still mark the day in ways that demonstrate great heart and spirit and send a strong message of support to our veterans,” said Mayor Emma Cole.
“We would encourage Vincent residents to safely but meaningfully mark the occasion with a unique tribute and a show of mateship from your driveways and balconies.
“We would also love to see homemade poppies and drawings filling the windows, verges and driveways of our city in a show of support for servicemen and women.
“At a time when we are physically apart, these are wonderful gestures of human kindness and togetherness.
“We can be guided by the spirit of mateship shown by the Anzacs as we navigate this difficult time.
“The Anzacs stuck together and endured through dark times and we will too, knowing this spirit lives on in us.”
The City will also share local stories online over the next week, including the stories behind Horry’s Tree in Leederville and Axford Park in Mount Hawthorn.
Horace (Horry) Thompson planted a Moreton Bay fig tree in Leederville in 1915 so he could see how big it was when he returned from the war. He died in battle but his tree is still standing.
Thomas Leslie (Jack) Axford was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Hamel in France in 1918. He lived in Mount Hawthorn from 1929 until his death in 1983.
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