By Luke Voogt
Organisers have cancelled the region’s largest Anzac Day dawn service due to costs and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Torquay RSL president Bob Tyler announced the cancellation on Monday.
“Although some restrictions have been relaxed, it’s too late to organise the 2021 Anzac Day march and dawn service at Point Danger,” he said.
“Our dawn service costs thousands of dollars to stage, and it’s too late to seek sponsorships and donations, which are essential for the success of the commemoration.
“For the Torquay RSL to put on the commemorative Anzac service at Point Danger, planning should have commenced in August last year.
“In November we were limited to ten people as we assembled for the Remembrance Day ceremony. This was difficult to monitor.”
The usual attendance for the Point Danger dawn service ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 people, comprising of veterans, community groups and the public.
“With the work done by government and the community, we can now start to return to some order of post-COVID normality, but unfortunately large gatherings at Point Danger are still out of the question,” Mr Tyler said.
“Limited to veterans only, the Torquay RSL will hold a shortened ceremony at the RSL memorial garden.
“The bowls club will be open from 7.30am on Anzac Day for breakfast and later two-up.”
Mr Tyler urged locals to hold silent vigils in their driveways, like Anzac Day last year.
But Geelong’s Anzac Day march is set to return, according to Geelong RSL president Andrew Hanns.
“We’re planning on having the march,” he said.
“In saying that, it’s very difficult to plan.”
Mr Hanns was unable to confirm whether or not crowds would be permitted to watch the event.
“At this stage I’m hopeful,” he said.
“We want there to be crowds but we’ll have to work further with City of Greater Geelong.”
Geelong RSL has cancelled the city’s two services, including the regular service at Johnstone Park at the end of the march.
Event officials have indicated the RSL would have to “barricade” the service for it to go ahead, which would be logistically and financially impossible for RSL, Mr Hanns said.
“We’re hoping things will change as we get closer to Anzac Day,” he said.
