Join the driveway Dawn Service and show your support this ANZAC Day

This ANZAC Day (Saturday, April 25) will be very different, but you can still show your support for those who have served and sacrificed in times of war.

At 6am on ANZAC Day, Australians are being encouraged to take part in a different kind of service, by standing on their driveway or balcony to light up the dawn.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson encouraged everyone in the community to show their support for the Light Up the Dawn initiative.

“We may not be able to attend a traditional ANZAC Day Dawn Service this year, but we can still commemorate this very important day,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“Let’s help to light up the dawn right across the Sunshine Coast and pay our respects to all of the men and women who have served our country and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District President, Ian Hall said RSL Queensland was pleased to see so many Australians pledging to be in their driveways at 6am.

“ANZAC Day belongs to the Australian people, and that’s become even more evident this year,” Mr Hall said.

“In the face of the current public health crisis, they’ve taken the initiative of finding an alternative way to commemorate the occasion.

“Light Up the Dawn is a way for us all to collectively honour the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of our service people – even though we cannot physically be together as we usually would.”

From 6am on ANZAC Day a number of local radio stations will be broadcasting a special Light Up the Dawn commemorative service prepared by the RSL which will include The Ode, The Last Post, a minute’s silence, Reveille and the National Anthem.

There are lots of wonderful tips on the RSL Queensland website to help you prepare for ANZAC Day at home, including instructions for how to make a wreath, planting rosemary, what goes into a traditional Gunfire Breakfast and of course, an ANZAC biscuit recipe.

Get all of these tips and pledge your participation in the Light Up the Dawn service at https://rslqld.org/anzacspirit

Share photos of your own driveway Dawn Service on social media using #lightupthedawn and #ANZACspirit

You can also watch a service at 11am that has been put together by the Yandina Eumundi RSL Sub Branch – visit https://yandinaeumundirsl.com.au/ for details.