Bendigo District RSL outraged at ‘silent disco’ on Anzac Day eve

The event at Universal Bendigo was described on the nightclub’s Facebook page as “A Minute of Silence... No... It Deserves a Night of Silence!!! ANZAC EVE.... SILENT DISCO!!!”

It is scheduled for the evening on Monday, April 24, with “three DJs to choose, hundreds of tunes and complete silence!”.

Bendigo District RSL president Cliff Richards said the way an image of a soldier and poppies was used in the flyer promoting the event was “disgusting”. 

“It’s highly inappropriate this company has done this,” he said.

“As far as the Bendigo District RSL is concerned, it’s certainly an inappropriate act to use the word ‘Anzac’ and images of poppies when promoting a disco.”

Mr Richards said Anzac Day was a day of national pride, not a day to advertise a disco.

The Facebook post, which was removed this morning, was slammed by users when the event flyer was posted just after 5pm yesterday.

“Absolutely despicable. Me and my comrades are offended for those who lost their lives for this country. It’s not party time. Disrespectful and ignorant,” one Facebook user wrote. 

“Come to the war memorial and talk about the 102,000 Australians that have lost their lives and talk to their families.”

Another called for the Universal to remove “this entire joke of a post” and make a formal apology.

Not everyone was offended, with a number of Facebook users tagging people and saying they would attend.

Penalties apply for the incorrect use of the word 'Anzac' under the Protection of Word 'Anzac' Act 1920 act and permission from the Veterans' Affairs minister is generally required to use the word in a commercial context. 

However, the words 'Anzac Day' may be used in connection with certain events or entertainment held on April 25, or on consecutive days including Anzac Day, without permission.

The Bendigo Advertiser is seeking comment from Universal Bendigo.