By Renee Wood
The region will pause to reflect an honour our fallen on Thursday 11 November for Remembrance Day.
RSL’s across the region are grateful to hold a service, after the events were in doubt during the lockdown.
Wandin Rotary President Ben Vallance said it’s a time to reflect on one of the major events in the country’s history.
“More than 40 000 lives were lost defending Australia’s value and freedom, so we employ everyone to gather reflect and commemorate on Remembrance Day,” he said.
The community’s encouraged to attend a service with many local events going ahead.
Here are the details for local services:
Emerald
Emerald RSL will be conducting a very simple service but would prefer people to just stop and pause at 11am no matter where they are, to honour the service men and women who have sacrificed in wars past. The sound of the last post will ring out across the township of Emerald to commemorate Remembrance Day.
Healesville
Healesville RSL service will be held from 10:45am to 11:30am at the RSL Memorial, followed by light refreshments in the Gallipoli Lounge.
Lilydale
Lilydale will be conducting a full service for Remembrance Day, commencing at 10.45am. Students from local schools will be there to read poems, alongside Bridget Vallence and a bugler who will sound the last post at 11am. All are welcome to the service, with CovidSafe practices to be followed.
Monbulk
Monbulk RSL will be hosting a small service at cenotaph, which will start around 10.50am. Wreaths will be laid in memory of the fallen and then veterans will be able to gather inside the RSL for tea and coffee.
Mt Evelyn
Mt Evelyn RSl will be starting its service at 10.45am at the Mt Evelyn War Memorial Gardens.
Part of the ceremony will involve the unveiling of two new plaques, one acknowledging the role and efforts of Roger Boness and renaming the gun ‘the Boness Gun’ and another detailing the history of the M2A2 Howitzer.
Upwey-Belgrave
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Upwey-Belgrave RSL has elected to host a small service at the sub-branch instead of the war memorial this year. All attendees must be fully vaccinated. The service will begin at 10.45am and people are asked to arrive just before to allow time for checking in.
Seville
The Seville War Memorial committee’s will start its ceremony at 10.45am at the Seville War Memorial at the Water Play Park.
This will be the first time the Seville Community will hold a Remembrance Day service at the new war memorial.
Warburton
Warburton RSL will commence its service at 11am at the Cenotaph and those attending will be invited back to the gardens at the RSL.
Wandin
Wandin Rotary will be holding a service at the Wandin Cenotaph starting at 11am, those attended are asked to arrive from 10.30am.
Unfortunately, no refreshments will be offered at the church following the service.
Yarra Glen
Yarra Glen RSL will be holding their service at the Cenotaph on Anzac Avenue from 10.40am to 11.00am
The fellowship is invited back to the RSL following the ceremony.
Yarra Junction
Upper Yarra RSL will be holding their service at 10.45am at the Yarra Junction Cenotaph and those attending are welcome back to the RSL following the ceremony.
