Pausing to commemorate
A CENTURY since the signing of the agreement that ended the First World War, Remembrance Day has gone digital, with young Queenslanders like Nicholas Margetts leading the state in making the promise to pause for one minute at 11am on Sunday.
People being urged to make an online pledge and download a digital reminder that will alert them to pause for one minute on Remembrance Day.
Mr Margetts, a 2017 Premier’s Anzac Prize winner, has seen first-hand the sacrifice of our servicemen and women and believes honouring the 57,705 Queenslanders who voluntarily enlisted in the First World War is the most important thing we can do this Remembrance Day.
“Having the opportunity to stand in the fields where our soldiers once stood was both an honour and a privilege,” he said.
“It’s so important we remember and commemorate the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives so we could lead a better life.”
Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary chair Captain Andrew Craig RAN (Retd) says the shift to digital was encouraging more Queenslanders to reflect.
“The incredible sacrifices made by our servicemen and women during the First World War and all other wars have shaped Australia as the nation it is today,” he said.
“The Queensland Government’s four-year commemoration of the centenary of Armistice has provided an opportunity for Queenslanders to learn more about their military history and honour the memories of our servicemen and women.”
Queenslanders can download a digital reminder and make their promise to pause via www.qld.gov.au/promisetopause. A ceremony will be held at the Mothers Memorial in Toowoomba from 10.30am to mark the occasion.