As Australia continues to monitor the COVID-19 virus challenge, precautions such as social distancing and the rules around gatherings and travel have made our annual ANZAC Day Commemoration plans change significantly in 2020.
However, Director of Nursing, Eva Ballai was determined to create a safe and special moment for the residents and staff of Fairfield and prevail against this COVID inspired challenge.
Just as our brave soldiers who have fought throughout history to deliver us the Australia that we know and love today, Eva took on the challenge, as a reserve soldier herself, to ensure residents, staff and local community were allowed to Remember, Reflect & Respect all our soldiers that fought so bravely across different wars over many years.
What is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”.
Commemoration Service to Acknowledge ANZAC Heroes
Eva says, “I wanted to make a video Commemoration Service to acknowledge our heroes, especially those nurses who also served in the wars to help save lives in the harshest of conditions“. I reached out to our local community, who were coming to Fairfield to participate in person in our Service before the COVID Rules, to see if they would allow me to collect a video message from them to present to our residents.
I wish to send a big heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to the following people who made this amazing video service possible.
- Fairfield RSL President: Paul (Angus) Bryant
- Mayor of Fairfield City: Frank Carbone
- John Logan: Resident of Fairfield Aged Care Home
- Gemma Bonser: Fairfield Resident & Our Only Veteran
- Samjhana (Sammie) Tiwari: Clinical Nurse Manager
- Myint Ni: Registered Nurse
- Sara Bhattarai: Fairfield DDON
This was a very special moment for our residents and staff to both film and watch this wonderful virtual service. The video, and parts in it, helped make our ANZAC Day 2020 special.
Australia’s pioneering providers of award-winning aged care programs and services, we’ve been a quiet achiever in changing the way our ageing loved ones experience life’s next stage through richer interaction with friends, family, nature and community.
