Jack Hudson

FOR the second year in a row, the Gawler Anzac March has been called off due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Gawler RSL president Paul Little said the decision was tough, but that the event was just not a viable option with the need of COVID-19 plan.

“We’ve got to do a COVID plan and we haven’t got the cattle, we’ve only got 128 people in the club, a lot of them are elderly, and I can’t have them stand around corners and bloody checking people for COVID masks or anything like that,” he said.

“So unfortunately, we’ve got to put it off again.”

While it’s officially cancelled, Mr Little said if things change in between now and April 1, the decision could be reversed.

“I’m hoping something changes by then, the council’s give me to April 1 to put in a plan, like an application if the Health Department, State Government, change their mind,” he said.

“So, it may be a last-minute thing, but at the current time, no.”

Another casualty of COVID-19 ridden year could also be the dawn service at Pioneer Park.

“Well, dawn services are really worried too, because places with up to 1000 people don’t need a COVID plan,” he said.

“Yes, it’s great for the smaller towns around the Barossa, but for us, we’re allowed to, but I have to do a complete COVID-plan.

“People have to have entrances and exits and everything else like that. We as a club can’t afford the $1000s to put up fencing and things like that.

“I’m waiting now to get a direction from SA Health by at least March 21, about the dawn service to see what I can do, and then I’ll put in a COVID plan for that and see what we have to do, see if it’s viable or cost effective for us to put one on.”

Mr Little said the dawn service is still going ahead at this stage if the Gawler RSL can facilitate all COVID-19 restrictions.

“But if we can’t, because of costs, even though the council gives us $5000 towards running the March, Dawn Service and Remembrance Day, most of that $5000 will be chewed up in fencing and security guards and COVID Marshals, and possibly a lot more,” he said.

“I’ve heard figures of $10,000-12,000, from fencing and security.”