Anzac Day march into infamy

SHAMBOLIC and a kick in the guts for Diggers is the only way to describe the state government’s handling of plans surrounding this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.

Cancelled last year due to the pandemic, many would have hoped for a return to some sense of normality this year, given COVID numbers are virtually nonexistent.

But, no, the idiots at Spring Street couldn’t leave Australia’s most solemn of days alone instead burying it in confusion, inconsistency and uncertainty.

It began in February with the announcement that the 2021

Anzac Day commemorations would be cancelled with the somewhat lame excuse, “We can’t take the risk”.

The decision caused public outrage and was slammed by many as premature, given Anzac Day was more than two months off.

As a result, the government backflipped and the march was allowed to go ahead — but with a maximum 5000 veterans, descendants and support staff permitted to take part. Those wishing to take part in marches were required to fill out an online application form and get a ticket.

For many, particularly elderly veterans, having to do battle with a computer and register online — even with the assistance of phone help — would have proved too difficult.

That coupled with anger and frustration from vets and descendants that their day had been hijacked by incompetent bureaucracy resulted in numbers plummeting to a record low.

Then on Wednesday, acting Premier James Merlino increased the maximum number of those attending the Melbourne march to 8000 and the deadline for applications extended till Anzac Day eve.

But it was too little, too late. An event that had previously boasted up to 12,000 until this week had only 1400 people registered to take part.

Then, get this, latest reports are that even those who fail to register will more than likely be able to take part and register on the day.

Why didn’t they do that from the start?

But the greatest insult of all was that Victorian health authorities had already given the green light for 75,000 fans to swarm into the MCG on Anzac Day, shoulder to shoulder to watch a footy match.

Then on Thursday, the acting Premier lifted that number to 85,000.

Can someone please explain the parity between these two events because I sure as hell can’t see it.

And who on earth made the stupid decision to deprive our veterans of a decent Anzac Day, yet allow 85,000 fans in to a stadium to attend a footy match?

For many veterans this will be their last Anzac Day, their last opportunity to get together with old mates, a day stolen from them by a bunch of nitwits at Spring Street who, at best, couldn’t let the air out of a paper bag.

Anzac Day is our day. It is far more important than a game of footy, which — I might add — may never have been played at all had it not been for the past sacrifices of others.

While I am hesitant to give a bollocking to Victoria’s RSL executive over the matter, it goes

WHO ON EARTH MADE THE STUPID DECISION TO DEPRIVE OUR VETERANS OF A DECENT ANZAC DAY, YET ALLOW 85,000 FANS IN TO A STADIUM TO ATTEND A FOOTY MATCH?”

without saying that this would never have occurred under the formidable leadership of former RSL president Bruce Ruxton.

While I disagreed with his stance on many issues, all hell would have had to freeze over before he caved in to this nonsense.

Aside from all that, let’s hope all Victorians will follow the Anzac tradition on Sunday.

Attend services and marches where possible and show those who served — and continue to serve — this country our deepest respect and eternal gratitude.

Lest we forget.

It is not — it belongs to past generations, and not in this 21st century.

Trevor Pescott, Belmont