By Dongyun Kwon
On Monday 11 November, Yarra Valley residents paused to honour Australian servicemen and servicewomen.
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
At 11am on 11 November 1918, the Germans called for an armistice to secure a peace settlement, and they accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender.
In Yarra Glen, the service started at 10.40am at the Yarra Glen Cenotaph.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish gave a presentation covering her Anzac Day trip to the Kokoda Track.
She also spoke of her father’s service and what the day meant to her and her family.
The Yarra Glen Primary School students read the poems.
Lincoln Agnew recited In Flanders Fields and Savannah Sprott recited The Victory Emblem.
Yarra Glen RSL vice president George Miller OAM recited a letter written home in 1916 by Walter George Parker, 4178 from Bullecourt, and Wear a Poppy was read by Rosemary Bowling.
Gabby Shortis, granddaughter of former Yarra Glen RSL president Stephen Shortis, played the bugle for the Last Post and Rouse.
A reception was held in the Yarra Glen RSL rooms of the Memorial Hall following the service.
In Healesville, the service officially started at 10.45am at the Healesville Memorial with a welcome address by Healesville RSL president Colette Shaw, followed by wreath laying.
John Stanhope, who has played bugle and trumpet on both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services since 1974, once again played The Last Post with his instrument and Retired Warrant Officer John Harris recited The Ode.
Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi attended the service as a keynote speaker.
Mr Violi thanked the Australians who sacrificed their lives not just in the First World War but also in all other wars to keep the peace in the world.
“In this 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, we gather to remember and pay tribute to the many thousands of Australians who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts,” he said.
“We stand together to commemorate their bravery and sacrifice, for they gave all their tomorrows so that we could have today. The First World War, now a century ago, saw more than 400,000 Australians enlist in the Australian Imperial Force.
“This was no small figure for a country with a population of just under 5 million. Of them, more than 60,000 lost their lives, a devastating toll on a small country, including locals from Healesville and surrounds.
“Almost a million Australians served in the Second World War. Australians also served in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation, the Vietnam War, in Afghanistan and continue to be involved in peacekeeping operations.”
After Mr Violi’s speech, Healesville High School students Denzel Parsons and Cooper Bell recited In Flanders Field and the response poem.
Ms Shaw said Healesville RSL was happy with the turnout, particularly with the number of local children, including kids from Queens Park Kindergarten, although Remembrance Day is not a public holiday.
“The Healesville RSL and community came together to remember and commemorate the sacrifices and service of our veterans and serving men and women on Monday 11 November,” she said.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day with the sun shining. We were fortunate to have Mr Aaron Violi as our keynote speaker this year. Aaron gave an insightful and emotive speech on the local men and women who went off to war and their stories.
“Veterans loved seeing all the children. It really made their day, as well as mine.”
After the service, all attendees were welcome to place a poppy in the urn and have morning tea in the member’s lounge.
