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ARTWORK, flags and music helped Bendigo residents to remember Anzac Day during a year without gatherings.
All over the city, residents woke before dawn to stand outside their homes for a minutes' silence.
Among these was Alison Dullard, who helped her neighbours commemorate the day by playing the Last Post and the Rouse on her saxophone.
Her neighbours and husband joined with her to remember.
Mrs Dullard had heard a call out from the Returned Services League for musicians to play.
She just thought it would be a nice thing to do, and her neighbours loved it.
"The wife of a neighbour was thinking about her father who served in the war, and a tear came to her eye. They were very moved, especially as it was dark," Mrs Dullard said.
Isabelle Skinner was among those who had decorated their house for Anzac Day.
She has been drawing a bit after work every day since Thursday.
"I just felt that for this year, there's a lot of people who are veterans that normally march. For them, they don't have any other way of knowing that people are thinking of them, and honouring their service," Mrs Skinner said.
"I just thought that for anyone who drove past my place, and was a veteran, would know that I was thinking about them, and just wishing them all the best."
8.30am
BUGLERS around Bendigo sounded the Last Post at dawn, as they commemorated Anzac Day with others around the country.
They were among thousands of residents standing in their driveways for a minute's silence at dawn.
This Music for Mateship concept formed part of the #StandTo and #LightUpTheDawn initiatives.
Marist Brass Band Vice President Kelly Hazell was among these buglers. Here is a video of her playing.
8am
ANZAC Day was all about personal reflection this year for Bendigo and District Returned Services League sub-branch president Peter Swandale.
Mr Swandale laid a wreath at dawn on Saturday, accompanied by a single bugler and one other RSL representative.
It was a scene repeated around central Victoria.
Mr Swandale's speech was later broadcast on the RSL's Facebook page.
"For the last 100 years on Anzac Day, the Bendigo community has stood side by side, lining the streets, acknowledging our service men and women," Mr Swandale said.
"There would normally be proud veterans marching down Pall Mall, waving to family and friends. We would all stand to listen to the sounds of hymns and prayers, and the singing of the choir, having the opportunity to remember the fallen as well.
"But in 2020 this is not to be. Instead the Bendigo community stood at the end of their driveways ... to personally honour our service men and women by standing silent for one minute, holding a candle to light up the dawn."
The day marked 75 years since the end of World War II, in which thousands of Australians died.
Earlier
THE bugle sounded through almost empty streets as Anzac Day dawned.
A sole representative laid a wreath at the foot of Bendigo's centotaph, in memory of those who served Australia.
It was a scene repeated throughout central Victoria.
But Returned Services Leagues haven't let respect rest.
Lone representatives laid wreaths at the base of centotaphs as the sun rose in Bendigo and around the region.
Thousands of others marked the dawn from their driveway, playing the last post or lighting a candle.
At Bendigo's centotaph just a bugler and Bendigo and District RSL sub-branch president Peter Swandale marked the dawn.
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