OMANZ with support from GO Media have banded together to support the Returned & Services’ Association (RSA) and NZ Defence Force ‘Stand at Dawn’ campaign.
The campaign is a call to recognise ANZAC day and stand united, as this year will be the first time in history our communities will not be able to congregate in honour of those who served.
From 6:00 am on Friday, 24 April, nearly 400 billboards, Street Furniture and Retail signs across the nation will light up with the powerful ‘Stand at Dawn’ message encouraging New Zealanders to commemorate Anzac Day this coming Saturday by standing outside of their home with a candle, at the end of the drive or outside their front gate.
OMANZ general manager, Natasha O’Connor said the initiative by OMANZ members was created to encourage audiences consumed with lockdown while out and about in their community to “stop, pay attention and reflect” on what Anzac Day was about.
“New Zealander’s have always embraced and celebrated the spirit of the Anzac. For the first time since the war, New Zealanders have had this freedom restricted while we band together to fight in a very different type of war; COVID-19. Now, perhaps more than ever, we need to reflect on the sacrifices made before us to help put things into perspective. Supporting RSA and NZDF was our way of saying thank you during a time where we must come together virtually” said O’Connor.
The RNZRSA national president B J Clark says even though public gatherings are not allowed this year we can still make to effort to remember the sacrifice.
“Across New Zealand we want all communities to have the opportunity to Stand At Dawn on 25 April and remember both the sacrifices that have been made and continue to be made by our servicemen and servicewomen who are called upon to serve New Zealand during times of war, conflict and disaster”.
