Author Archives: Jenny Gates

Update on ANZAC Day 2020

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Although the DUCW’s ANZAC Day commemoration has been cancelled this year, we are compiling a list of opportunities to watch services online, and will post them in a new blog tomorrow.

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION 2020 – CANCELLATION MESSAGE

It is with deep regret to advise that our ANZAC Day service in Ottawa, scheduled for 9am on 25 April, has been cancelled. Organisers have also cancelled ANZAC Day services in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

It is with deep regret that we write to advise that our ANZAC Day service in Ottawa, scheduled for 9am on 25 April, has been cancelled. Organisers have also cancelled ANZAC Day services in Toronto and Vancouver.

We are as disappointed as we know you will be with this outcome, but given the COVID-19 pandemic and the advice of the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian public health authorities, it is the responsible course of action.

While we will not be able to gather together on 25 April, we encourage all Australians and New Zealanders, wherever you may be, to commemorate ANZAC Day in your own personal way.  Please take a moment to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the thousands of Australian and New Zealand men and women who serve or have served in wars, conflict and peace keeping operations. We especially ask you to think of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

Public ANZAC Day services have also been cancelled in Australia and New Zealand.  But, the Australian War Memorial will be holding a private ceremony in Canberra at 5.30am on 25 April (AEST), 3.30pm on 24 April (EST), 12:30pm on 24 April (PDT).  The ceremony will be broadcast live by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online.  Please see more information on this here: www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day. The Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association, alongside the New Zealand Defence Force, will also be holding a virtual dawn service to commemorate ANZAC Day, which will be broadcast by RNZ National, on the RNZ App, from 6am (NZST) on 25 April, 2pm on 24 April (EST), 11am on 24 April (PDT).  You may wish to watch include these ceremonies as part of your commemoration of ANZAC Day.

Our thoughts are with all Australians and New Zealanders in Canada, and our Canadian colleagues and friends, in these challenging and unprecedented times.   Please stay safe, stay informed by following the advice of public health authorities, stay connected with your friends and family, and please stay home.

Her Excellency Natasha Smith, Australian High Commissioner to Canada

His Excellency Martin Harvey, New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada

ANZAC Day update

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G’day and Kia ora, everyone!

We hope you are all doing well and safely navigating the current reality.

For the first time we can remember, there will not be an ANZAC Day commemorative service for members and friends of the DUCW. While it’s the right decision, that doesn’t mean there won’t be an opportunity to commemorate ANZAC Day from the comfort of your own home.

There is a good possibility we will be able to provide you with links to televised replacement events. Our Social Coordinator Judy Powell believes that some commemoration will be put together, with minimal attendance, and if that happens, we will send out the info for you to participate – albeit from a safe distance. The links will be posted here and on Facebook, and emailed to all Club members.

And while Club events are cancelled for now, The Southern Yarn will continue to be distributed. Newsletter Editor Charlie Powell and his mob are working hard to get the April/May issue to your mailboxes and inboxes as soon as practical. Thank you to everyone who is making sure we stay connected as we do what we must to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy.

Although we can’t meet with you in person, we are here for you if you have any questions or thoughts or just want to start a conversation. Who knows. With so many online communication programs available, maybe we’ll have an online meeting of our own at some point. A thought, at least.

Until then, we do wish you and your families well. And while some of you are undoubtedly concerned about what the coming weeks will bring with respect to health, work, and life in general, we are thinking of all our members. If there’s anything we can do or that you need, just reach out and we will try to help.

Cheers!

Executive of the DUCW

 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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The tally to date from our Winnipeg fundraiser for the Australian bushfires on February 22 is more than $18,000.

Financial donations are still coming in, and if you would like to contribute, contact us at info@downunderclub.mb.ca or (204) 228-9959. All donations $20 or more will get a tax receipt from the Canadian Red Cross, with those monies going directly to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

And be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates and photos, and special shout outs to our very generous supporters.

On behalf of the people of Australia, thank you to everyone who donated prizes (including from Calgary and down under), attended the event, purchased tickets, and sent in monetary donations.

Way to go, Winnipeg!

Photo: Corinne Napper.

Winnipeg Fundraiser for the Australian Bushfires — We Are SOLD OUT!

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THANK YOU, Winnipeg, for your generous support of our bushfires fundraiser.

We are SOLD OUT, and tickets will NOT be available at the door.

If you would still like to help, we are accepting donations. Any amount is welcome, but donations of $20 or more will get a tax receipt from the Canadian Red Cross for monies sent to the Australian Red Cross Disaster and Relief Recovery Fund. To make a donation, contact Peter Debenham at 204-955-0393.

The devastating bushfires in Australia are continuing to take an almost unimaginable toll on that country. At least 34 people have died, livelihoods have been lost, countless native animals and livestock populations have been decimated, and millions of hectares of land have been burned beyond recognition. Continue reading →