Newcastle's two main Anzac Day ceremonies will go ahead as invite only events without a march due to difficulties organisers face with COVID-19 regulations.
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Newcastle Anzac Day organising committee convenor Ken Fayle said after long discussions the committee decided not to coordinate open dawn and mid morning services nor a march due to public health order requirements, which include installing fencing for the march, QR code check ins and social distancing.
"The costs associated meant we just couldn't do it," he said. "Given we're a small sub-branch of volunteers it's just beyond us."
The dawn service is likely to include about 250 people.
"We're allowed more than that, but given we usually have 50,000 people it became a logistical nightmare as to who do you invite," Mr Fayle said.
The decision received some backlash on social media from people who identified as veterans pointing out low case numbers and the fact events such as football games have tens of thousands of people in the crowd.
"I've copped a few emails and texts, which I've dutifully ignored because they're from ignorant people," Mr Fayle said. "With football games, everybody buys a ticket and is registered. How do we track that many people at a public event? We get people turn up to the dawn service from 2.30 in the morning. It's just not that easy.
"People say we haven't had a case here in however long, but if we did open it up we don't know where people are coming from. We've had inquiries from people as far away as Adelaide.
"Some of the smaller country areas will be able to have a service and march, but we almost fall into a metropolitan cohort.
"It's disappointing, it's frustrating. Hopefully by next year the majority of the population is vaccinated and we can get back to almost where we used to be."
Mr Fayle said the committee was encouraging people to follow last year's proceedings by lighting a candle and standing in their driveway at 6am to share a moment of silence.
The dawn service will be broadcast on TV by NBN and on radio by 1233 ABC from 5am.
Meanwhile, a sunset service will be held at ANZAC Memorial Walk on Friday, April 23 from 5pm, while a candlelight vigil will take place in Memorial Grove, Civic Park at 5pm on Saturday, April 24.
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