Seachange Home Owners to Safely Commemorate Anzac Day

There was a wonderful article in the Gold Coast Bulletin today about one of our Home Owners at Seachange Arundel and the plans for Anzac Day at resort this week.

Clive Mitchell-Taylor OAM, a Vietnam Veteran who leads the 12-strong ANZAC Day committee, said they were gearing up for what they hoped would be their largest ANZAC event to date, despite COVID-19.

It will have the key elements of a traditional ANZAC Day service but rather than head to their community’s cenotaph, residents at Seachange Lifestyle Resort will be able to watch a Facebook livestream from the safety of their own living rooms.

“This is the first time we have hosted the event in such a way, however we have a duty to protect our residents and the staff who work here,” said Mr Mitchell-Taylor, who served for 33 years in the Australian Army including a year in Vietnam.

“We have more than 30 veterans in our community and our ongoing mission to publicly acknowledge military service to our nation is stronger than ever during these unprecedented times.”

The special event, beginning at 6.20am on Saturday, will include The Ode, Last Post, a minute’s silence, The Rouse, raising of the Australian National Flag to full mast and the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems. Wreaths will then be laid at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Seachange veterans, the Seachange community and Seachange management. Residents may place their personal floral tributes at the Cenotaph later in the morning.  Seachange have also arranged a coffee van to be available during the morning to enable those who lay tributes to enjoy  a coffee in exchange for a gold coin donation with proceeds going to the Southport RSL.

“Residents are then encouraged to light a candle and stand in their driveways, while our community manager drives a piper around the resort. I believe this will be a special time to remember the fallen and those still serving.”

Seachange Lifestyle Resort Operations Manager Mia Pradella said she was focused on maintaining a sense of community at the resort, with safety of residents at the core.

“The value of living in a safe and supportive community like ours has never been greater,” said Ms Pradella.

“We want our residents to have the best possible lifestyle and continuing to support them with events and activities like this is key.”

Each of the Seachange Resorts has something special planned for Saturday to enable the communities to come together safely commemorate.