Anzac Day: A time to remember

Anzac Day in Christchurch will pass without the traditional dawn service this year but people are still being encouraged to honour the sacrifices made by those who have fought for their country.

“The Returned Services Association has made the difficult call that there will be no dawn service this year because of COVID-19, but there are other ways that we can commemorate the lives that were lost in World War 1 and the wars that have sadly followed,’’ says Jim Lilley of the Christchurch Memorial RSA.

“You can lay a poppy at your local war memorial – there are several of them located around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Or you can stand in silence at the end of your driveway at dawn, as many of us did in 2020 when the whole country was in lockdown.’’

Like Mr Lilley, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel hopes people will take time on Anzac Day to make a personal act of remembrance.

“COVID-19 may have caused the cancellation of most Anzac Day events, but we can still hold fast to the tradition of remembering and commemorating our fallen soldiers and veterans,’’ the Mayor says.

While there will be no dawn service, the Anzac Day Citizens Service in the Transitional Cathedral will be live-streamed for the public at 10am. Join the service virtually.