Circular – 23 March 2020
Urgent Feedback Requested for ANZAC Day 2020
Dear Honorary Secretary,
As you would be aware, the current health crisis has had a significant impact on how we will commemorate ANZAC Day this year. The Board of RSL NSW is meeting this week to consider some of the ways in which the League and the public can still acknowledge this most significant of days. Some of the suggestions are listed below:
- Dawn service: Nationally televised and streamed service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, led by the Governor General and Prime Minister.
- Possible national dawn ‘driveway’ event: Where the RSL promotes all citizens congregating at safe distances at the front of their properties. This could include last post and reveille bugle calls.
- 10am service: Televised and streamed commemoration service conducted in a controlled indoor space in Sydney, led by the Governor, Premier and key representatives.
- Fundraising – proposed amended policy for Wednesday’s board meeting: Many members are concerned about face-to-face sales of tokens because of breaching safety guidelines. Therefore, we are proposing a ‘virtual’ or ‘online’ fundraising campaign, where funds collected would go into a central fund for subsequent disbursement. Details of which will need to be worked out.
Some sub-Branches have already started the process of considering these proposals. All sub-Branches are encouraged to consider the above plan and provide feedback to your District Council President as a matter of urgency, considering the Board of RSL NSW will meet this Wednesday. Email addresses for District Councils can be found on the RSL NSW website here (scroll down the page to ‘Contact Your District Council’). Your feedback is vital in developing an appropriate and safe plan for the recognition of ANZAC Day.
Thank you for your understanding.
Regards,
Jeff O’Brien
GM Member Services and State Secretary
