#anzacathome 2020

Gary Graham standing with a ceremonial display of items related to his service in the Australian Defence Force. The display was used for an Anzac Day ceremony being held at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the lead-up to Anzac Day, Australians were encouraged to conduct private driveway commemorations to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in communities. Participants were encouraged to share these experiences through the social media hashtag #anzacathome2020.

This ceremony was devised and managed by veterans Rachel Ingram and Gary who were “determined to not let this day pass without commemoration, even with the lock down from Covid -19 restrictions”.

Rachel recounts that the service was available for all the residents in the area. The poppies, candles and Anzac biscuits were made by Rachel’s mother, Judy, and the flag pole was made by Rachel and Gary. In decorating the table, Rachel explained that she “had an Australian Flag which I carried with me through Iraq, Kandahar and Tarin Kowt which we used along with our service head dress and Gary's own flags and other bits and pieces to set up a table in the common area to create the best atmosphere”.

During this ceremony, the Australian War Memorial service was streamed through Rachel’s phone. The ceremony had Orders of Service available and a poem entitled “The Streets of ANZAC”, written by Stewart Elliot, was read out by Gary. In the images, there is evidence of social distancing measures, used to safeguard participants from accidental COVID-19 transmission.