Up to 5000 people can commemorate Anzac Day in regional areas of NSW this year. Photo: Region Media.
The traditional games of two-up will not be allowed in some parts of the region this Anzac Day, as towns from Bega to Batemans Bay, Braidwood to Captains Flat, and Yass to Goulburn mark the occasion on 25 April with varying restrictions.
NSW Health guidelines say that two-up has to be played outside and there must be two square metres between participants. Bets can only be placed with the person next to them.
The guidelines say clubs should “discourage participants from passing through the crowd to make/take bets”.
Many clubs in NSW have expressed outrage at the restrictions given crowds in excess of 30,000 people have been allowed in football stadiums.
After being limited to their driveways as the world battled the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, people in southern NSW will still be looking forward to marking the region’s rich wartime history on Anzac Day.
Up to 10,000 people can participate in the Sydney CBD march, and 5000 people can attend dawn services, marches and all other Anzac Day commemorations across NSW.
Members of local RSL sub-branches say they are relieved this year’s Anzac Day services can go ahead, albeit with some marches still not happening in some locations.
While the wearing of face masks is recommended, it is not compulsory.
“Throughout a challenging and evolving event-planning process that started in September last year, RSL NSW has worked closely with the NSW Government to offer a range of COVID-19-safe options to commemorate Anzac Day across the state,” said NSW RSL president Ray James.
“There’s more than one way to commemorate, including attending a local service, rallying neighbours to ‘light up the dawn’ at 6:00 am, or watching the broadcast of the major services across Australia.”
COVID-19 safety plans have also been completed by RSL sub-branches for all marches and services. People are being advised to scan the COVID‑19 QR code or register their details. The one-person-per-two-square-metre rule must be maintained except for family members.
Here is what’s on around the region on Anzac Day:
Moruya
The Moruya Remembers Committee will hold its first dusk service on Anzac Day at the WWII RAAF bunkers at Moruya Airport.
Spokesman Gary Traynor said the committee wants to preserve the history of the No. 11 Operational Base Unit at Moruya, which provided support for RAAF aircraft that utilised the airfield during World War II.
The official wreath will be laid by a member of the Merchant Navy to remember five merchant sailors killed in the region during World War II.
Mr Traynor said many will be surprised to learn that during the war, three merchant sailors were killed by a Japanese submarine just off the coast of Moruya, and they are buried at Moruya Cemetery. He said another merchant vessel, SS Robert J Walker, was sunk on Christmas Eve in 1944, just off the coast of Wallaga Lake, with the loss of two crew members.
Marches and services are being held as usual in all other towns in the Eurobodalla Shire. More information is available on council’s website.
The Number 2 Bomb Dump, which sits in the middle of Moruya Racecourse, will be familiar to NSW South Coast racegoers. Photo: When War Came to Moruya Facebook page.
Goulburn/Yass
Goulburn’s Anzac Day commemorations will go ahead under COVID-19 restrictions with both the dawn and mid-morning services being held at Belmore Park.
The march along Auburn Street will go ahead, but only for about 60 veterans from the various campaigns participating.
At Yass, there won’t be an official march but the main service will be held at the Cenotaph Memorial Hall at 11:00 am. A dawn service will also be held at 6:00 am.
The services will be streamed via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Details are on the Yass RSL sub-branch website.
Snowy-Monaro region
Anzac Day services and marches will be held in line with current COVID-19 restrictions at all towns in the Snowy-Monaro area.
Full details are on the Snowy-Monaro Regional Council website.
Queanbeyan-Palerang region
Services in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region will be held in all towns in the shire, including Braidwood, Bungendore, Captains Flat and Majors Creek. Further details are on the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council website.
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