Bankstown RSL Sub-branch President Terry Corcoran says he is disappointed with RSL NSW’s announcement that ANZAC Day events can take place this year including the Sydney CBD March but with a limit of 500 participants decided by a ballot process.
“It’s hard to understand their reasoning when you consider the thousands of spectators allowed at the footy, the cricket and in protest marches and we are only permitted to have 500 for an event that occurs just once a year and means so much to so many,” he said.
“It’s disappointing to say the least.”
Padstow RSL Sub-branch President Trevor Young agrees, describing it as “ridiculous”.
“Our situation in Padstow, though, is different since our cenotaph is right next to the station and you can’t close it off; it’s very hard to restrict numbers,” he said.
“We will have a token service just with members of the committee.
“Last year, we didn’t have a service so this is an improvement; hopefully next year we will be back to normal.”
RSL NSW President Ray James says that after resounding national success in 2020, the RSL Australia ‘Light up the Dawn’ campaign will be rolled out again this year.
“ANZAC Day has always belonged to the Australian people and that was evident last year when millions of people took to their driveways during the Covid-19 pandemic to personally commemorate veterans by lighting up the dawn,” he said.
Information regarding ANZAC Day services, including the Sydney CBD March ballot process, is available on the RSL NSW website.
