Crowds brave cold to honour war dead
Local schools were well represented as Warragul’s citizens gathered at the Warragul Cenotaph last Wednesday to mark Remembrance Day.
It was a solemn occasion in the wake of the 100th anniversary a few months earlier of the Anzac campaign at Gallipoli.
RSL representatives laid wreaths at the cenotaph in honour of those who lost their lives in the First World War.
They were followed by the school captains of Warragul Regional College, Marist-Sion College, Chairo Christian School, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Warragul & District Specialist School and Warragul, Warragul North, Nilma and Lardner Park primary schools.
Baw Baw’s Deputy Mayor Joe Gauci was MC for the occasion.
Bugler George Smith, from the Warragul Municipal Band, played the Last Post, before Warragul RSL president Noel Tucker called for the traditional minute’s silence.
That was followed by Reveille before the St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School choir concluded the ceremony with a respectful rendition of the national anthem.
Warragul Regional College also commemorated the centenary of Gallipoli at a special ceremony conducted at its lone pine tree at the school on Wednesday.
Many students took time out of their lunch order to take in the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a new plaque to commemorate former students of the school who had served.
College teacher Rodney Williams wrote the dedication for the plaque, which was unveiled by College principal Rob Juratowitch and air force veteran David Rackett.
Mr Rackett also recited the ode, giving students an insight into the first verse, which is not often recited at commemorative ceremonies such as Anzac day and Remembrance day.
The chilly and breezy conditions at Drouin did not deter almost 100 people turning out to pay respects at the town's memorial on Remembrance Day.
Chairman of the commemoration Drouin RSL sub-branch president Rod McNab pointed out the significance of the day in the centenary year of the Anzac troops' landing at Gallipoli.
He said Remembrance Day would have particular significance over the next four years leading to the centenary of the World War 1 Armistice on November 11, 1919.
After a prayer by the Reverend Heath Easton of Drouin's Presbyterian Church representatives of ex-services' organizations, Baw Baw Shire and district schools as well as members of the public laid wreaths and poppies at the foot of the memorial.
Bugler Cyril Payne played the Last Post and Reveille, the Australian and RSL flags raised to full mast as Reveille rang out and Drouin Secondary College students Shannon Mellings and Kassidy Dalziel led singing of the national anthem.
The sounding of the fire siren at 11am on Wednesday served as a reminder to the people of Trafalgar to stop and take a minute of silence to remember the fallen during armed conflict.
A large crowd braved the windy weather to pay their respects during a ceremony at the cenotaph, which had been adorned with poppies with flags flying at halfmast.
With the Trafalgar-Thorpdale RSL giving due recognition to all local people who served, plaques for World War 2 diggers Harold Chambers, Eric Raymond Williams and William Kenneth Tatterson were added to its memorial war.
During his opening address, Trafalgar-Thorpdale RSL sub branch president Ray James said a past secretary had designed the memorial wall.
"Shaped as an arm, it is welcoming to our cenotaph," he said.
"Anyone who is proud of the armed forces is welcome to become a part of the RSL.
"We are immensely proud of those who passed on and those who came home to help build this lucky country of ours."
Paul Erbs laid a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of the RSL, followed by Sylvia Hill who laid a wreath on behalf of Legacy.
Sylvia had recently celebrated her 101st birthday.
Baw Baw Shire Councillor Murray Cook, members of local service clubs and students also laid wreaths at the cenotaph.
Following the ceremony, Mr James said the Trafalgar-Thorpdale RSL had visions of Kitchener St becoming a parade ground for future major events such as Anzac day and Remembrance day following completion of the RSL's renovations.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. From the Ode of Remembrance, by Laurence Binyon