This year, in lieu of Anzac dawn services, cancelled because of the COVID-19 virus, Catholic school students and their families gathered at the end of their driveways holding candlelight vigils in commemoration of our fallen soldiers.

At St Joseph’s Primary School, Boorowa, Principal Brendan Maynard, held his own dawn vigil at the front of the school.

“Seeing the lights along the main street of Boorowa was incredibly moving,” said Brendan. “Hearing the sound of the Last Post from the town Cenotaph and the ABC presentation playing on our phones, followed by the silent reflection, let us all be connected in that moment. It was different but it was so very special.”

Students and their families at Merici College, Braddon, sent in photographs of themselves gathered in their driveways. The images were shared on social media, collectively uniting the school community.

At Hennessy Catholic College, Young, students and staff came together online in prayer and remembrance for a virtual ANZAC Day service. The presentation was created by classroom teacher, Damien Foley and highlighted the significance of ANZAC Day for the Hennessy school community.

Poppy Lucas and Tilly Bowman, Year 6 leaders at Trinity Catholic Primary School, Murrumburrah, laid a wreath at the Harden Cenotaph to acknowledge our fallen soldiers. Many families in the area decorated their homes and gathered in their driveways at dawn to remember.