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Anzac Day 2022: West Australians observe Anzac dawn from driveways

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
Shenton Park local Peter Hopper proudly stood at the end of his driveway to see in dawn on Anzac Day.
Camera IconShenton Park local Peter Hopper proudly stood at the end of his driveway to see in dawn on Anzac Day. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Thousands of West Australians have commemorated the Anzac Day dawn service around WA in another year hit by COVID restrictions.

Families woke in darkness to light candles and stand silently at the end of their driveways and attend memorials around the State — including an invite-only crowd capped at 500 at the State War Memorial in Kings Park — to mark the solemn occasion.

As a dramatic sunrise ushered in the day, people paid their respects to the more than 60,000 Anzacs who lost their lives in World War I and the many veterans from other conflicts.

Austin Street residents Bruce and Carol Spangler, Craig and Jacqueline Middleton and Campbell York pay their respects.
Camera IconAustin Street residents Bruce and Carol Spangler, Craig and Jacqueline Middleton and Campbell York pay their respects. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

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COVID restrictions meant crowds were once again restricted at the Kings Park service. Police Commissioner Chris Dawson, Police Minister Paul Papalia, Governor Kim Beazley, and Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas were among those who attended, marking a minute’s silence for the fallen and laying wreaths at the memorial.

SEE THE PICTURES: WA pays tribute to WA’s Brave Anzacs

In the lead up to Anzac Day, RSLWA advised that the State’s dawn service would have to be a scaled-down affair and closed to the general public due to the risk posed by the coronavirus.

However, the RSLWA encouraged all West Australians to take to their driveways to commemorate in their communities.

Michael and Nicoletta Harrison were among those who observed a minute’s silence.
Camera IconMichael and Nicoletta Harrison were among those who observed a minute’s silence. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Belmont, Victoria Park, Rivervale, and Glen Forrest were just some of the many suburbs who embraced the occasion.

In one street in Belmont, all of the residents were out on their driveways, with one family playing the Last Post on a speaker for everyone to hear.

A full Anzac Day parade is expected to go ahead through the Perth CBD, starting at 9am from the corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace, as well as a scaled-down commemorative service to take place at the Perth Concert Hall.

Across the nation, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at local RSL’s and war memorials to commemorate Anzac Day at dawn.

More than 50,000 people gathered at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance at 5.30am, with the Victorian Government setting no limit on how many people can attend.

For Victorians, this Anzac Day marked the first time in two years people could celebrate at traditional dawn services.

In Queensland, thousands gathered in Brisbane’s Anzac Square, at the Shrine of Remembrance, to pay their respects to the fallen Anzacs.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was among those united in commemorations at the Cenotaph in the Shrine of Remembrance.

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