Derwent Valley servicemen and women remembered

Dale Britten and Geoff Hack.

UPDATED: FALLEN soldiers, sailors and aviators of the Derwent Valley have been remembered at the New Norfolk Cenotaph this morning and in homes around the district.

With Anzac Day services cancelled due to social distancing restrictions in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the hundreds who would usually have attended Dawn Services at New Norfolk, Maydena and Gretna instead stayed home and stood at their front door or gate to honour those who have served Australia.

Bushy, Park, Hamilton and New Norfolk would also have traditionally held 11am services, including the well-attended Anzac Day parade in High St.

This morning, New Norfolk RSL Sub-Branch president Geoff Hack was at the local Cenotaph to lay a wreath, observe a minute's silence and listen to a recording of the Last Post.

Independently, fellow Vietnam War veteran Dale Britten arrived to pay his respects on the day when he would normally act as parade marshal for the 5.45am march from the RSL Club to the Cenotaph, and then again for the High St parade and service at 11am.

The scene at the New Norfolk Cenotaph at 6am.

Three others joined them at the memorial and one or two others watched from the sidelines, and all dispersed soon after. From the Cenotaph, the Last Post and the National Anthem could be heard playing in homes nearby. In the hour that followed, several other people stopped at the Cenotaph to place tributes.

The Reverend Celia Hooker of St Matthew's Anglican Church gave the annual Anzac Day address at 6am, broadcast on local radio station Tyga FM and published on the New Norfolk News.

By 11am, the time when public services are traditionally held at New Norfolk, Bushy Park and Hamilton, additional wreaths had been placed on the New Norfolk Cenotaph, including a tribute from the Lions Club of New Norfolk.

RSL secretary Brian Glover and Derwent Valley mayor
Ben Shaw paying their respects at 11am.

New Norfolk RSL secretary Brian Glover and Derwent Valley mayor Ben Shaw arrived to lay wreaths on the memorial. Joined by former RSL president Stephen Ball, they recited The Ode and observed a minute's silence.

About 10 people watched these events from a distance, including local florist Malissa Dowling who laid wreaths on behalf of her customers. Around the town, some people chose to again stand at their front door or gate to pay their respects while remaining at home as requested by the state and federal governments.

Observing a minute's silence at the Cenotaph.

Dale Britten and Geoff Hack.

A home in displaying its own Anzac Day tribute.

Patrick Mulvaney "lighting up the dawn" from home.

Stephen Ball, left, saluting the New Norfolk Cenotaph. 

The scene at the local war memorial after 11am.

Florist Malissa Dowling approaches the Cenotaph with a customer's wreath.

The memorial memorial after the placement of floral tributes at 11am.