At Uniting Springwood aged care, leisure and wellness co-ordinator Nic Langenberg was determined to find a way Anzac Day commemorations could take place under the coronavirus lockdown.
"It's part of our residents' culture and Australian culture. I had to think outside the box a bit to keep our residents safe," she said.
"The idea came from the RSL standing at the end of your driveway at 6am idea. I thought we can do that because we have balconies and can deliver multiple services across the site."
So, at 9.30am on Friday, April 24, the first of five services was held for residents of the aged care facility, who watched on from their balconies. There were readings, prayers, wreaths laid around a mobile flag pole, The Ode was recited and The Last Post played, with piping provided by Springwood Uniting Church chairman James Coombs.
Residents gave the service a big thumbs up. The Uniting staff then repeated the service another four times at different locations within the aged care facility, so 120 residents had the opportunity to commemorate.
Further down the road at Springwood's Opal Endeavour aged care facility, a small service was held for residents. There were prayers, the Commemoration of the Fallen, residents laid wreaths, and Richard Chapman played The Last Post, followed by morning tea.
A wreath was also laid at the entrance to the aged care facility. "This shows the community that at this time of struggle, even with restricted access with the whole COVID-19, we are still remembering those who made huge sacrifices for us to be here today," said general manager Mary Lomnicki.
