"We are at war."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That was the opening statement by Wangaratta RSL sub-branch president Lieutenant General Ash Power during the digital Anzac Day service on Saturday.
He called on the wider Australian community to do their bit to stop the spread of COVID-19 and "look after your mates" while commemorating Anzac Day.
"This time the enemy is invisible and you don't have to be in the ADF or sent overseas to be in danger," Lieutenant General Power said.
"This time the enemy is among us.
"But some things are the same - survival still relies on leaders giving clear direction, those around you doing their job and you the individual looking after your mates. And you do that by staying at home."
The service, which was filmed three weeks earlier due to COVID-19 restrictions cancelling any event on the day, was streamed across social media platforms from 11am.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Lieutenant General Power said now was the time for Australians to pull together.
"2020 is not normal," he said.
"Just six weeks after the January bushfires the same Australia which pulled together fractured, some even fighting over toilet paper in supermarket aisles.
"It is because the enemy is different to a 100km/h fire front, everyone is at risk - today's threat is invisible.
"Now is the very time our country needs all of us, not the small number of volunteers, but for all of us to embrace being Australian.
"We will get through this.
"For me the everlasting Anzac legacy is mateship.
"Looking out for each other, that is what those original Anzacs will be asking of all of us right now."
Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees also participated in the service.
