Written by the amazing Lyla Schmidt from our blogger team.
Anzac Day holds a special place in my heart and every year I commemorate our fallen soldiers by marching on proudly. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, it was a little more difficult to memorialize the service men and women who have given their lives for our country. Living in a town with a population of about 50 makes it even harder as we travel for our usual celebrations.
As a proud young Australian, I woke up for the “light up the dawn” service along with my mother, and we stood at the end of our driveway while the sun rose. To see my neighbours band together and show true patriotism was spectacular. As part of tradition, we all normally have a barbeque in our backyard as a family with my great-great-grandfather and my grandmother coming to see us. It felt empty with their absence and the restrictions on the activities that we could do. With all of Dad’s Australian music selections playing throughout our house, our spirits were raised.
I believe there is something to be said for us Aussies, because even in these dark times, we still band together to show mateship and our deep-rooted patriotism by any means necessary. The fact that many of us participated in the “light up the dawn” service makes my hopes for the future rise. Especially the fact that we don’t need to have a huge commemoration to show the spirit of the ANZAC. Although not our normal ritual, this will always stick with me as one of the most special Anzac Days in my lifetime.