Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies

Subject: ANZAC Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 20 Apr 20 - 07:14 PM

Hi all,

Because of social isolation and social distancing due to the COVID 19 pandemic, there will be no ANZAC Day ceremonies in Australia on Saturday 25th April 2020.

As an example, a woman and her daughter are planning to play The Last Post in their driveway at 6 am on Saturday:

Driveway ceremonies to replace large gatherings

I'd like to play it on my flute and I have found a copy of the sheet music so I'll be practising it to do the music justice and to respect the people who put their lives on the line or lost their lives for Australia.

I think there is also a feeling generally of celebrating the health workers, emergency workers and other essential workers like retail people and teachers etc because they are laying their lives on the line in this crisis.

I'm in two minds about whether to play it at 6 am which is about 20 minutes before dawn. I don't want to annoy the neighbours TOO much, although some of them will probably appreciate it (and one of them will probably throw a rock at me again) so I am wondering whether to play it at 7 am instead.

I also saw a poster message from the RSL (Returned Services League) suggesting that people light up their front windows or verandahs in time for dawn with candles or lanterns.

Any thoughts, Aussie & Kiwi Mudcatters on how you will commemorate ANZAC Day this year?

Stay safe and well,
Helen

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 20 Apr 20 - 07:17 PM

Sorry the heading should be "ANZAC Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies". I changed it while creating the thread but it only changed the first heading in the thread and not the thread title.
.
ANZAC is Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 03:48 PM

Any thoughts on whether I should play The Last Post at 6 am, at 6.25 am which is dawn or is 7 am OK?

I'm really not sure what time it is usually played at the dawn services in previous years.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 07:39 PM

Not sure, Helen......I have been to dawn services in years gone by, but have been too busy trying to keep warm to look at my watch. Does the RSL website have any clues? or do you know someone who plays in a community concert/brass/pipe band?

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 07:56 PM

Thanks Jennie,

I have to admit I usually watch the ceremony on TV. I know that the Last Post is usually played later in the ceremony, after the reading of The Ode.

I think I've decided to hedge my bets - and duck for cover if the rock-throwing starts - by playing it at dawn.

The ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee has provided a
Service Outline

That website is also where I found the copy of the sheet music for The Last Post.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Apr 20 - 10:35 PM

Here in NZ we are also not congregating to remember the fallen, usually the biggest ceremony of all.
There is also movement to 'driveway ceremony', flags and signs at the road.
The local paper includes a full-page picture of a painting to put in the windows, a large poppy with a backdrop of squaddies advancing through the dust with fixed bayonets.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 23 Apr 20 - 05:15 PM

I keep wavering between playing The Last Post at 6 am, which is the time when people are being encouraged to stand in their driveways to honour our ANZACs, or whether to play it at dawn at 6.25 am.

In the ceremonies The Last Post is a bit later on the order of service.

I don't know whether our neighbours are planning to "light up the dawn".

Any thoughts?

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 23 Apr 20 - 10:07 PM

Well I guess this answers my question.

Here's how to hold an Anzac Day dawn service in your driveway this year

I haven't been learning to play Reveille so that's not going to be part of my agenda.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: JennieG
Date: 23 Apr 20 - 10:48 PM

It does answer your questin, Helen!

I plan to make Anzac bikkies tomorrow for the first time since......well.....probably since my boys were at school, and they are now (just!) on the shady side of 40.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 23 Apr 20 - 11:40 PM

I made ANZAC bikkies a few days ago. Easy and yummy!

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: SqueezeMe
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 05:48 AM

Where ever did you get the raw sugar? Or any sugar for that matter.
None to be had up our way.
Swap a bag for a couple of toilet rolls, anybody??? (NSW 2456)

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 06:26 AM

No way??!! You can't get sugar?

There was a problem for a while around Newcastle trying to buy flour, baking powder, etc but it has been better in the last couple of weeks or so.

Anyway, sugar is not good for us so it's better not to make ANZAC biscuits. You'll only eat them!

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 08:04 AM

I'll be using brown sugar.....don't have raw sugar, do have some white, but I thought (I hope!) brown will add a slight caramel flavour.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 05:53 PM

Well, I played The Last Post at dawn, on my flute, which I rarely play and I was never an accomplished player, just a stumbling amateur.

I mucked up the very last, drawn out high note. It came out as a breathy nothing-at-all.

Surprisingly, no one else was visible in their driveways either at 6 am or at dawn so maybe no one heard my halting rendition except for one person I saw disappearing back inside after I finished playing.

I'll take comfort from this comment in the following article:

This Anzac Day feels like a battle we're all apart of

"But if someone in your neighbourhood split the night with those wrenching first notes of the Last Post haltingly played on bugle, or on saxophone or, as in my street, on a much-rehearsed trombone, then maybe the absence and separation dissolved in the dark and brought us all together again."

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 06:57 PM

My DIL in Canberra (a musician who plays in an Army band) was planning to have a driveway memorial, we haven't yet heard if she did.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: vectis
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 09:16 PM

My township in NZ had the buglers up and playing at 6am and those that wanted to went to their mailboxes and stood there for the 2 minute silence. I remembered them from the warmth and comfort of my bed. As a recent emigre I am still more attuned to 11 11 11 than today.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: SqueezeMe
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 10:52 PM

Great day! Got sugar!
Drank too much coffee (white and two). Feeling crook!
Can't face Anzac bikkies. Maybe later...
Have to say that I concur with vectis' comments, even though I have lived in Oz longer than anywhere else. I suppose it's what you grow up with. For those who do mark the occasion, I sincerely hope you have a great day despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Hrothgar
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 10:59 PM

Quite a few people in their driveways in our street at 6.00. No Last Post, though.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Helen
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 11:53 PM

My sister said she was planning to play it on her ukulele. I laughingly asked her if she was planning to use a microphone and amplifier. She hasn't replied to that email yet - it's possible she is a bit miffed at my suggestion - and I don't know whether she played it at all or whether she decided to play it on the flute instead.

Subject: RE: Anzac Day 2020 - driveway ceremonies
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Apr 20 - 06:48 AM

Anyone know what's been done in Italy for Liberation Day?