CONCERN over the holding of this year’s Anzac Day Commemorative Service at Coffs Harbour C.ex International Stadium has been raised within Coffs Harbour City Council.

Cr Keith Rhoades raised a Matter of an Urgent Nature at Council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday 11 March to express his concern over the holding of this year’s Anzac Day ceremony at C.ex International Stadium instead of at local town cenotaphs.

Local RSL Sub-branches at Urunga, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Coffs Harbour recently approved the holding of a joint Coffs Coast Community Anzac Day Commemorative Service at the stadium at 9am on Sunday 25 April, due to COVID-19 health restrictions.

The COVID compliant Remembrance Service will be a seated event restricted to an approved number, which is 3,000 at this stage.

“I was concerned to hear that there is a proposal to conduct this year’s Anzac Day ceremonies at the C.ex International Stadium,” Cr Rhoades stated at the Council meeting.

The State Government has capped the number of people able to attend the Sydney Anzac Day march at 5,000, and attendance at Anzac Day ceremonies in regional areas at 3,000, with attendees having to register their attendance.

Cr Rhoades said after speaking with local RSL sub-branch members concern was raised that the regular attendance at local Anzac Day ceremonies, in particular at Sawtell and Woolgoolga, didn’t exceed that capped level of 3,000 people.

“This is the most solemn day of the year for returned servicemen, and also for the families of ex-defence personnel who fought for this country in various conflicts around the world, and didn’t survive and paid that ultimate sacrifice,” Cr Rhoades said.

“And they have always had tradition that these events are celebrated at the town’s cenotaph, where irrespective of where you are, that is the symbol of remembrance to this.

“I do understand that the decision to be made is entirely up to the sub-branches themselves as to how they do it and where they do it.”

Cr Rhoades called on the State Government to allow regional towns to conduct their Anzac Day ceremonies at their local cenotaphs, and asked for Council to request the State Government to be more flexible in this situation in terms of the COVID-19 restrictions being placed on these events.

“I hope that there is some light at the end of the tunnel that the tradition can be maintained, and that the event of this very special day to so many people can be celebrated where it should be, and that is at their local cenotaphs involving the traditional dawn services and the marches,” Cr Rhoades said.

Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Denise Knight said she was “sure we (Council) can reach out to our local (State) member with an enquiry.”

 

By Emma DARBIN