Life Care residents hold ‘driveway tribute’ for Anzac Day
Published: 21 Apr 2020
World War II veteran John Hooper has recited the Ode at every Anzac Day service for more than 40 years and marched in 70 parades – but this year will be different.
The 92-year-old, who joined the Royal Australian Navy whilst underage, will help lead a ‘driveway tribute’ at Life Care’s Parkrose Village in Everard Park to ensure that tradition continues.
He will recite the Ode at a 6am service on Life Care’s Ross Street footpath, joined by a group of the facility’s ex-service personnel, other residents and staff.
They include a 102-year-old who flew Catalina flying boats during World War II, a resident who served in the Australian Army at Papua New Guinea during the Kokoda Track campaign, and another who served as a tank operator during the Vietnam War. All three men are Life Care residents.
Neighbours on the Everard Park street have also been invited to ‘attend’ the service by standing in their driveways to observe social distancing.
The short, formal service will follow the same run sheet as standard Anzac Day commemorations, including observing one minute’s silence, playing the Last Post and Reveille/Rouse, reciting Lest We Forget and playing the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
The idea for the ‘driveway tribute’ came from Parkrose Village staff, who were inspired by the grassroots campaign for people to commemorate Anzac Day at dawn from their driveways.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Anzac Day services across the state will be closed to the public as the Federal Government enforces limits on outdoor gatherings.
“We have staged Anzac Day services every year since Parkrose Village opened in the 1950s,” said Life Care’s Parkrose Village Manager Ann-Marie Hogan.
“Due to coronavirus, our residents can’t leave the facility and there are limitations on who can visit from outside. We thought it was important to hold this year’s service differently to honour the day and pay our respects to our residents who are ex-service personnel, those who have fallen, and those who continue to serve our country.
“It is testament to the resilience of our staff and residents that we’ve found a way to adapt and overcome this challenge to ensure we continue to observe the Anzac Day tradition.
“We hope it will provide comfort for our residents, many whom have not missed a service for decades. This year’s commemoration will certainly be one to remember.”