UPON hearing that Anzac Day commemorative services had been cancelled across Australia and New Zealand, the Leeton community refused to stand idly by and miss the opportunity to remember those who lost their lives at Gallipoli Cove.
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This will be the first time in history that Anzac Day has been cancelled, prompting the public to find new ways to honour our greatest heroes.
In an effort to thwart the spread of coronavirus but remain united, members of the Leeton community are banding together by holding a minute of silence on their driveways at dusk.
Graham Parks from NSW Fire & Rescue will sound the Leeton Fire Station alarm at 6am, signalling the start of a humbling reflective moment.
"When it came out that Anzac Day had been cancelled, a lot of people were upset because they really do like to pay their respects," Mr Parks said.
"Someone then came up with the idea for residents to stand out on the footpath at 0600.
"We decided that we'd try and help by blowing the station siren, just to try and get everyone in time to start the minute of silence together."
The official ban placed upon large gatherings amid coronavirus fears have allowed for community members to begin developing creative new solutions to everyday problems.
Overcoming the pandemic to remember our fallen soldiers will be a moment marked in history forever.
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"The community spirit around here is incredible."
"When one person came up with the idea, everyone else jumped straight on it," Mr Parks explained.
"The community spirit around here is incredible."
One of the reasons behind the difficult decision to cancel Anzac Day was cited by RSL members as a way to protect older veterans from the spread of COVID-19.
Many Australians and New Zealanders are looking into alternative ways to commemorate ANZAC Day.
"Everyone will find their own way to take part," Mr Parks said.
"The idea of people standing on their driveways just seemed to gain a lot of traction here.
"We just really want people to know about the siren so they don't panic, last thing we need is people thinking it's something that it's not."
A selection of dawn services will still be held across the country, but the public has been asked not to attend.
Several states and territories are yet to make a firm decision about their respective services.
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