STEPHANIE THOMPSON and PAUL MITCHELL
BARMERA’S bumper Anzac Day dawn service has been cancelled for the second year in a row – but three other Riverland towns will hold their regular commemorations, under COVID-19 conditions.
The Barmera and Berri RSL sub-branches announced this week that “COVID-19 restrictions” had led to the decision, with residents in both towns instead encouraged to shine torches on Anzac Day morning to show their respect.
Barmera’s Anzac Day dawn service, held at the Garden of Memory Cemetery, is traditionally among the best-attended in country and regional South Australia, however the Murray Pioneer understands logistical concerns – specifically being forced to stage a ticketed event – led to the decision.
The RSL state body says it has left decisions on 2021 commemorations up to individual sub-branches. A spokesperson for the Barmera and Berri sub-branches said residents would still be able to mark the sombre day appropriately.
“(It) is important for people to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our service people on Anzac Day,” the spokesperson said.
“Consequently we are encouraging the general public to support the ‘Light up the dawn’ program. This year to commemorate the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) 100 years, we are asking people to shine a torch up into the air from their driveways etc.”
The spokesperson said memorial spots had also been set aside across both towns for people to lay floral tributes on April 25.
Despite the cancellation of the Garden of Memory event, the Loxton, Renmark and Waikerie sub-branches all intend to stage Anzac Day events this year.
Renmark RSL past president Ray Hartigan said his sub-branch was planning its 2021 commemorations “under COVID-19 requirements”.
“It’s our plan to hold a service and a march…” said Mr Hartigan, who also doubles as the RSL’s Riverland state representative.
“The state body has asked us to submit our COVID plan to them for approval, which we’ll do.
“Regardless of approval, we’ll be running ahead with it at this stage, unless the State Government comes in over the top of it.”
Mr Hartigan conceded staging Anzac Day events was often a labour-intensive exercise for RSL sub-branches.
“There’s a lot of work in it,” he said.
“And if you haven’t got the people around you, it’s very difficult.”
RSL South Australia commemorations manager Keith Harrison said decisions on Anzac Day 2021 had been “left up to the sub-branches”.
The Waikerie and Loxton sub-branches also indicated their intentions to forge ahead with ceremonies.
“We have our COVID-safe plan for the event,” said Waikerie RSL sub-branch president Paul Croft. I think it’s important to show that we are trying to maintain as normal life as we can. The message around Anzac Day hasn’t changed and it’s something we need to do to keep the flame alive so to speak.”
Loxton RSL sub-branch secretary Lorraine Masters was equally positive about 2021 Anzac Day.
“Personally, I am hoping we get more people out this year, but not to be shoulder-to-shoulder,” she said. “I think it’s important we keep commemorating Anzac Day...”