When diggers faced the toughest test, they knew the only way to survive was to look after each other.

The ANZAC spirit means supporting your mates, sticking together and digging deep for the courage to go into battle every day.

I reflect on the selfless heroism of John Simpson Kirkpatrick at Gallipoli in 1915.

Using one of the donkeys brought in for carrying water, he transported wounded men day and night from the fighting in Monash Valley to the beach on Anzac Cove.

The ANZAC spirit is about understanding that to survive we must look after one another.

I've been honoured each year to represent our community at ANZAC Day commemorative events: including services at the Cenotaph, the Buninyong RSL and the Sebastopol RSL community march with CFA volunteers and Sebastopol Primary School students.

From Ballan to Bacchus Marsh and from Linton to Lethbridge, we have all stood to honour the ANZAC spirit.

This year will be different. We won't be able to gather in large groups for ANZAC Day commemorations.

But if each one of us calls upon the ANZAC spirit to best protect ourselves, our families, our neighbours and communities - we will protect each other.

This moment will show us how much we all need each other to keep going.

No matter who we are or where we come from, we are all in this together.

I have been so proud to see that spirit of the ANZAC; people across this region rising to the huge challenge facing our community.

We need to keep physical distance from others so that we can protect ourselves and give healthcare workers a chance.

For everyone working from home, there are many more who make that protection possible by working at the hospital, the pharmacy, the supermarket, the delivery service, the childcare centre and the school.

We're being reminded just how connected we all are and how much we depend on one another.

Now is the time to stand with the people and small businesses still working, to keep our state moving, and to make sure that everyone who has lost their job or can't make rent is looked after properly.

Now is the time to ensure the health of our older people, who are contributing and active members of our community, our mentors and guides, grandparents and parents.

It is their wisdom and knowledge that will help us emerge in a good place.

Government is ensuring that people have the protections they need to get through this.

That means income support, a stronger health service and stopping evictions.

We are securing more ICU equipment, staff and space to meet any surge in case load during this pandemic.

This type of investment has never been made in Victoria before and shows the magnitude of what we are preparing to deal with.

We are preparing for the worst but if Victorians stay at home and protect the healthcare system, we'll save lives.

This ANZAC Day, when you can't go to the Cenotaph, the Arch of Victory or your local commemoration service, let's share the ANZAC spirit from home.

Take a picture and share it on social media using the #STANDTO hashtag.

#STANDTO refers to turning out and standing ready.

It's particularly significant at dawn and dusk.

And it is a fitting way to continue to remember and recognise the enduring ANZAC spirit in our community.

Lest we forget.

Michaela Settle is the State Member for Buninyong