WA residents in lockdown take part in Anzac driveway services

Services were cancelled in Western Australia's Perth and Peel regions, which are under a three-day lockdown.

Residents in WA's lockdown regions marked Anzac Day in their driveways with candlelit vigils.

Residents in WA's lockdown regions marked Anzac Day in their driveways with candlelit vigils. Source: Facebook/Valarie Phua/Kristie Cheetham/Chloè George

While scaled-down services and marches were back across Australia, around 40 services were cancelled in Western Australia's Perth and Peel regions. 

Residents in Perth and Peel are under a three-day lockdown, which is scheduled to end at midnight on Monday, after a hotel quarantine outbreak led to community virus transmission.
Sunday marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign that ultimately cost more than 8,700 Australian lives.

Like last year, residents in Perth and Peel were forced to pay tribute at home by standing at the end of their driveways at dawn.

Glen Robinson and his son played the bugle as part of a driveway service in Perth suburb of Ardross.

Mr Robinson said the atmosphere and experience was very moving. 

"It is a very uniting experience," he told Channel Ten in Perth. "To look up the street and see the candles, to hear the bugles playing in the distance. It is just a very uniting experience, particularly in this current climate."

Other musical tributes were performed at dawn in driveways, including from a violinist Arwen from the Perth College Anglican School for Girls.
The Haka for Life organisation dedicated its Perth service to veterans grappling with mental health. 

COVID-19 restrictions forced the corroboree online. 

"We stand for those who are still suffering in silence, for those who perhaps think that suicide is the only option," said Jamie Schuster from Haka for Life.

"We also stand for those families that suffered through [the death of a family member through] suicide.

"We support you to reach out for support, if you are suffering in silence.

"We stand with you. You are not alone."

Gregory Makutu from the New Zealand consulate in Sydney also addressed the online service.
"Anzac Day is about remembering our fallen and supporting those who return from their overseas service.

"And that is because in 1915 that is when we as the Australian New Zealand army corp first went to war, and landed on the shores of Gallipoli.

"But it is not the war that is the emotional part. It is the casualties - both the physical casualties and the mental health casualties.

He said the impact of that day, 25 April 1915, reverberates more than a century on.

"Some 2,000 Australians and 200 New Zealanders were killed or wounded on that day alone, 25 April in 1915 [during the Gallipoli operation].

"It was a day of confusion and fear for those soldiers. One soldier called it a day of sorrow as he remembered the dead and the wounded."

On Saturday, Western Australia's health department reported a third local case connected to the Perth Mercure Hotel.
A man in his forties contracted coronavirus after attending a restaurant, the Kitchen Inn in Kardinya.

"The person is now working closely with the Department’s contact tracing team to determine ," the state's health department said in a statement.  

Health officials are urging those who attended restaurants listed on the to get tested. 

Test results are expected for 337 contacts who have so far been identified.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: , , , , , , ,

Support and counselling services in Australia for veterans and their families are available.

The Defence Department's all-hours Support Line is 1800 628 036. Open Arms provides confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families on 1800 011 046.

For mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.


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4 min read
Published 25 April 2021 10:26am
Updated 25 April 2021 11:34am
By Biwa Kwan
Source: SBS News



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