Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Michelle Bridges lead celebrity Anzac Day tributes

Public ceremonies to mark Anzac Day may have been cancelled in Australia this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

But that didn’t stop some of the biggest names from posting heartfelt messages to the nation’s servicemen and servicewomen on Saturday.  

Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Michelle Bridges led celebrity tributes, with Andy Lee touching fans when he played a moving rendition of the Last Post from his balcony. 

Hollywood heavyweight Hugh, 51, revealed online that he had spoken to two people who had served, and encouraged his fans to call anyone they know who have done the same to say thanks. 

He shared a sweet clip of himself sharing a video call with a woman named Kate and said: ‘While we can’t gather for the usual dawn services, we can still find ways to express our respect and gratitude for those who have served our country.’

‘If you know someone who has served, like Alex and Kate, please call them and say thank you.’

The Australian star added: ‘Now more than ever we can empathise with their experience of being separated from those they love for the greater good of our society. Always a profound service. Stay safe, stay home.’ 

In the video, he told the couple that it was a thrill to greet them and said: ‘I want to thank you guys for your service… and I want to say thank you on behalf of everyone. 

He continued: ‘The services means a lot to all of us and ANZAC day has always meant a lot to me and I’m sure it does to you. Thank you.’

Academy Award winner Russell Crowe shared a simple and special tribute on his Twitter early on Saturday morning.

He wrote: ‘For the Fallen. Anzac Day. #LestWeForget’.

Meanwhile, Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue revealed on Twitter that she was taking part in the dawn service via live stream from her home in London.

She wrote: ‘I just watched the #Anzacday dawn service live-streamed from Australia. How incredibly moving. Love and gratitude. #lestweforget.’

Former Biggest Loser coach Michelle Bridges also posted a heartfelt tribute commemorating the servicemen and women, including a her late grandfather.

In the post, she shared a photo of herself with another older man, named Peter who served alongside her grandfather in Tobruk in Libya in World War Two.

She wrote: ‘One of my most proudest days. Privileged to wear my Grampsy’s medals on ANZAC day a few years back. 

She continued: ‘The gentleman beside me, Peter, served under my grandfather, who, according to Peter was known as the “Black Mamba” amongst he’s mates. 

Michelle, who also shared a photo of herself as a child with her grandfather said: ‘This year ANZAC day will be very different for all of us, however, it’s the remembrance of all Australian and New Zealand military who serve and sacrifice.

‘And that can be done anywhere. You are in my heart Gramps. Lest we forget.’

Radio presenter and comedian Andy Lee woke up early on Saturday to play The Last Post from his balcony at dawn. 

He shared a video of the touching moment and wrote in the caption: ‘We Will Remember Them.’

Andy said in the caption: ‘There was a call for all brass players to sound The Last Post at 6am this morning.’

‘Here is our contribution (swipe across). Bec and I are so grateful to all service men and women, past and present.’

Andy’s pal Hamish Blake and his wife also woke up early to pay tribute to the Anzac heroes and shared a video on Instagram of a bag piper playing The Last Post.

He wrote in the caption: ‘Zo and I stood on the roof at dawn in quiet remembrance of those who serve and have served.’

‘Then right on 6am a bagpiper started up nearby in the darkness. It sent absolute chills down the spine,’ the Lego Masters host added. 

PR maven Roxy Jacenko also paid tribute the fallen heroes by placing a wreath with sprigs of rosemary and a purple ribbon across it that read ‘Lest We Forget’.

Channel 9 and 2GB personality Ben Fordham shared a photo of his four-year-old son Freddy at the front of their home with a candle in his hand, along with the hashtag: ‘Lest we forget.’

The Project’s Lisa Wilkinson also shared a photo of her candle as bagpipes played in the background.

She said in her caption: ‘In our street there were about six groups standing silently with candles as we listened to The Last Post in the distance. 

‘Among other things it connected us as never before – to each other, to our country, to our history,’ Lisa wrote, adding a special message of gratitude to past and present service people including her grandfather William Charles Wilkinson.

Channel Nine newsreader Deborah Knight posted photos of her children standing outside of their home with candles to commemorate Anzac day.

She wrote: ‘The neighbourhood on this unusual Anzac Day.’

Married At First Sight’s Seb Guilhaus shared a video of himself reading The Ode in tribute to the fallen.

In his caption, the reality TV star encouraged others to join in on honouring the Diggers from their driveways.

Married At First Sight’s Cameron Merchant and his pregnant wife Jules Robinson joined in with their neighbours for a dawn service on their shared drive way, in a photo shared on his Instagram.

The former cricketer wrote: ‘Whilst we’re all going to be standing apart physically, we can still stand together in spirit to commemorate a special Anzac Day.’

The Morning Show’s Kylie Gillies shared a photo of her dawn service at home with teenage sons, Cadet Under Officer Gus Gillies and Cadet Lance Corporal Archie Gillies, dressed in their uniforms.

She said that they live streamed The Last Post at 6am and observed a minute’s silence as a family.

‘As Army Cadets, the boys would usually play a role in marches and ceremonies. But this is what we have this year. And it was quite special. We honoured. We remembered,’ she said in gratitude.

Former beauty queen Tegan Martin shared a photo of herself holding a sprig of rosemary alongside her mother Cherie and her boyfriend Luke Andrews.

She wrote: ‘This years service looks a bit different but the community spirit remains the same. To Grandad Tom and to all of the fallen soldiers. Lest We Forget.’