Point Danger ANZAC Day service cancelled

TORQUAY’S ANZAC Day march and dawn service at Point Danger will not go ahead for a second year despite the recent easing of restrictions.

Instead, residents are once again being encouraged to hold driveway vigils at their homes on the morning of April 25.

Torquay Returned Services League (RSL) president Bob Tyler said it was regrettably too late and not financially possible to organise an ANZAC march and dawn service for this year.

“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,” Mr Tyler said.

“For the Torquay RSL to put on the commemorative ANZAC service at Point Danger, planning should have commenced in August last year.”

The march and dawn service at Point Danger usually attracts up to 15,000 people including veterans, community groups and members of the public.

Mr Tyler acknowledged it would be another tough ANZAC Day for veterans.
But he said Torquay RSL acknowledged the safety of veterans and the community must come first.

“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,” he said.

Last year hundreds of Surf Coast residents paid their respects by holding candle commemorations on their driveways or balconies to remember those who sacrificed their lives and wellbeing from world wars, international conflicts and peacemaking and peacekeeping operations.

“We endured COVID living during 2020 which caused us to commemorate ANZAC Day with a silent vigil in our driveways, or at our letter boxes,” Mr Tyler said.

“We ask that Torquay’s residents and visitors observe again a silent vigil on their driveways.”

He said Torquay RSL had been in continual communication with RSL Vic for updates on their ceremonies.

“The latest advice Torquay RSL has received is there will be slightly reduced restrictions allowing a limited memorial service and march in Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Tyler said a shortened ceremony for veterans only would be held at Torquay RSL in the Memorial Garden, with veterans to be contacted via email with further details.

“The Bowls Club will open from 7.30am on ANZAC Day for breakfast and later two-up”, he said.