ANZAC Day takes place on Sunday April 25, and is a day for us to remember the sacrifice of all Australian and New Zealand military personnel who have served our nations for over a century.

Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan said ANZAC Day is an opportunity for us all to pay our respects and show our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of all those who have served and provided us with the freedoms we enjoy today.

“The mid-north coast has a proud history of military service, and last year, with the challenges of coronavirus, we found new and creative ways to honour those who serve and have served,” said Mr Conaghan.

“Many of us attended driveway vigils at dawn, arranged private floral tributes, and contacted current and former defence personnel to check in and simply say thank you.

“There are a number of ways we can commemorate ANZAC Day, and I encourage everyone to attend a local service if possible to reflect and show your respect,” Mr Conaghan said.

You can mark ANZAC Day by:

• Attending a local community dawn or commemorative service (pending the latest health advice).
• Tuning in to the ABC to Watch the Dawn Service and National Ceremony live from the Australian War Memorial.
• Leaving a poppy and personalised Anzac Day message on the Virtual Poppy Wall at https://lestweforget.gov.au alongside thousands of other Australians.
• Taking part in the RSL’s ‘Light up the Dawn’ campaign, which may include standing at the end of your driveway at dawn.
• Exploring the Australian War Memorial’s Anzac At Home content online for videos, activities and recipes at awm.gov.au/anzacathome
• Taking a photo of the local war memorial or honour board and upload it to Places of Pride at placesofpride.awm.gov.au to help build the national register of Australian war memorials.
• Taking part in our own private commemorations

An ANZAC Day ‘digital kitbag’ has also been developed which has a range of resources including posters, sample speeches, orders of service, supporting music, crafts cards on how to make ANZAC biscuits, poppies or a wreath. https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/anzac-day-kitbag