RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

53 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Annual Highlights Creating Enduring Legacies Light Up the Dawn "It is in these moments that we define who we are as an organisation, and who we exist to serve." TONY FERRIS State President, RSL Queensland RSL Queensland endeavours to preserve the memory of those who served, suffered and died for Australia. In their honour, we encourage all Australians to remember their sacrifice through the annual commemoration days of ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and other significant anniversaries. The Australian public’s determination to honour our veterans in this year of great challenge and change was inspiring. Despite the restrictions necessary to minimise the exposure and spread of COVID-19 – or perhaps because of them – new legacies were created around these commemorations that were fitting for 2020 and will endure for years to come. Light Up the Dawn As the sun rose on 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers rowed towards the shores of Gallipoli and into history. The landing at Gallipoli claimed the lives of hundreds of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, and wounded thousands more. It also shaped our nation, defining our intrinsic values of mateship, sacrifice and endurance. In 2020, not even a global pandemic could contain the ANZAC spirit. With government restrictions on mass gatherings, RSL Queensland embraced an idea that began in the community, encouraging Australians to hold a personal vigil on their driveway or veranda. On ANZAC Day, hundreds of thousands of households across the nation rose at dawn to take part in our Light Up the Dawn initiative. The country stood united – in uniforms or pyjamas, wearing medals, poppies and sprigs of rosemary – to let Australia’s veterans know that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. "I don’t think any of us anticipated the outpouring of emotion that was expressed by the Australian community as they supported Light Up the Dawn." TONY FERRIS State President, RSLQueensland Many spoke about what a moving experience it was to look down their street and see their neighbours lining the road in a demonstration of solidarity, respect and gratitude. RSL Queensland’s Light Up the Dawn campaign was recognised at the 2020 Australian Marketing Institute’s Award for Marketing Excellence, winning the categories of Integrated Marketing Communications Program and Not for Profit Marketing. VP75 On 15 August 1945, Victory in the Pacific was announced. The Japanese had surrendered and after six years, the Second World War was finally over. Thousands of people flooded Brisbane’s streets to celebrate, ecstatic that the war was over. The government called a public holiday and troops marched victoriously down Queen Street. But beneath the jubilation ran a thread of sadness. Many would not return home, having paid the ultimate price to assure victory. And many would return home broken in body and spirit. Continued on next page CREATING ENDURING LEGACIES