VOLUNTEERS SHOULD NOT FACE THIS NASTY FIGHT

THE reaction to the Mareeba RSL Sub Branch’s difficult decision to not go ahead with its morning Anzac Day parade is disappointing. It was announced last week that it would not proceed due to onerous COVID-19 safety regulations — all too much for the group of 15-20 volunteers, many of whom are in their 70s. Fair enough?

No. That wasn’t a good enough excuse for the keyboard warriors hiding in the comfort of their homes.

They lashed the branch in a response secretary Cheryl Powell Emmerson described — I thought — rather politely as “nasty” and “horrible”.

“The restrictions made it impossible for us. I understand why they’re disappointed, they were looking forward to having a service this year but … I can’t understand that kind of disrespect,” she lamented.

The reality is, if the sub branch had more volunteers and helpers rather than complainers and critics they might have had half a chance.

The safety regulations for COVID have been put in place for a reason but no one can argue they come with a lot of effort and responsibility and in this case the sub branch has had to raise the white flag.

A Dawn Service will still be held offering people the chance to pay their respects.

And just because there is no parade, that doesn’t mean people can’t honour the fallen and those who sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy our freedoms and way of life.

Last year people all around our great country lined driveways and chose deeply personal ways to give gratitude on April 25.

I fear one of the very things Anzac Day stands for — respect — has been lost in this case. And that is the far greater shame than not having a parade at all.