BY EL FITCHETT
Small Remembrance Day services will take place across the Hunter Region tomorrow, after the New South Wales Government granted a temporary relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions on group gatherings.
Up to 100 people can attend official services and pay their respects at community war memorials.
Crowds must social distance, and adhere to Covid-19 Safety Plans.
With ANZAC Day commemorations cancelled this year due to the pandemic, many RSLs have taken opportunity to hold Remembrance Day events for their local communities, including:
Cessnock RSL Sub-Branch
Where: TAFE Park Cenotaph, corner of North Avenue and Darwin Street, Cessnock.
When: 11:00 am
East Maitland RSL Sub-Branch
Where: East Maitland War Memorial, corner of William Street and New England Highway, East Maitland.
When: 10:40 am
Greta and Branxton RSL Sub-Branches
Where: War Memorial Rotunda, John Rose Avenue, Branxton.
When: 10:30 am
Maitland RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Maitland Park Cenotaph, Walker Street, Maitland.
When 10:30 am
Merewether-Hamilton-Adamstown RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Gregson Park War Memorial, corner of Tudor and Steel Streets, Hamilton.
When: 10:50 am
Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Apex Park, Nelson Bay.
When: 10:50 am
NB: This is a closed memorial for 20 invited members and guests, however, the general public are able to attend the park.
Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Civic Park Cenotaph, Newcastle.
When: 11:00 am
NB: Official service will be restricted to 100 invited members and guests, however, the general public are able to attend the park, and there will be an opportunity to lay wreaths after the ceremony. Includes a fly pass by the RAAF at 11:02 am.
Raymond Terrace RSL Sub-Branch
Where: ANZAC Park, corner of Jacaranda Avenue and Port Stephens Street, Raymond Terrace.
When: 10:30 am
NB: Includes a fly pass by the RAAF at 11 o'clock.
Toronto RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Toronto War Memorial, Goffet Park, corner of Brighton Avenue, Victory Parade and Wharf Street, Toronto.
When: 10:45 am
Those who can't attend services are being encouraged by Ken Fayle, President of the Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch, to mark the occasion with a minutes silence, wherever they might be.
"We use to have 2 minutes silence, and it didn't matter whether you were in the workplace, at school, or at the shops. So, at 11 o'clock if you stand for a minute, just in silence, by yourself or with other people it doesn't matter. But just in remembrance of those people," Mr Fayle said.
