Crowds mark 100th year since Armistice
Large crowds gathered across West Gippsland on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of World War I. In warm spring weather people observed a minute’s silence at 11am. More than 400 people gathered at the Warragul cenotaph for a service led by Baw Baw Shire mayor Mikaela Power. “The guns fell silent 100 years ago, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, signalling the end of World War One,” she said. “The Armistice was signed, officially ending the war which was experienced from 1914 to 1918. “In the four years of that war, more than 330,000 Australians served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. “It is with gratitude and pride that today we pay our respects to all Australian Service men and women who served and sacrificed for our country, then and now. “We remember those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. “We all shall remain eternally grateful for the courage and strength demonstrated by these remarkable individuals, who left behind friends and loved ones for the greater good of our country,” she said. Wreaths were laid by service organisations and local schools. The last post was played by Warragul Municipal Band member Nathaniel Jackson and the national anthem was led by St Paul’s Anglican Grammar ensemble.
Drouin A large crowd gathered at Drouin’s Memorial Park.
In his keynote speech, Drouin RSL president Rod McNab said the beginning of the Anzac spirit had been epitomised when Colonel JAK Mackay led the troops into Turkish fire with the call ‘come on Australia’.
“It was their first venture onto the international scene as Australia, and the first chance to work together,” he said.
“The troops characterised the servicemen over the years.
“The Anzac spirit has five key words, which are written on the Kokoda Track and epitomise the Australian soldier.
“They are courage, sacrifice, discipline, endurance and mateship.”
Of the more than 400,000 who enlisted and more than 300,000 who served in the great war, more than 60,000 died while a further 60,000 died from war related injury or illness in the decade that followed.
A further 150,000 had been injured or gassed.
“They were considered to be the lost generation,” Mr McNab said.
“We never got to know what greatness they may have contributed, we didn’t know anything but their fighting qualities.”
Mr McNab touched on conscription, with South Australian Errol Knight the first conscripted soldier killed in action, and the involvement of indigenous servicemen.
“The indigenous or anyone of Asiatic appearance were unable to initially enlist,” he said.
“But as the truth of the battle became known, allowances were made.
“It was originally thought there were 100 indigenous in the Australian Defence Force in World War 1, but recent research suggests that number was about 1000.”
Mr McNab spoke of the RSL setting up in 1916, the welfare and legacy initiatives and memorials that followed.
“When we reflect we can say that we’re a lucky country,” he said.
“We have an education system, we’re technologically advanced and we can feed ourselves.
“Let’s remember what our diggers from World War 1 started.”
Trafalgar A large crowd gathered at the Trafalgar cenotaph for a service led by the Trafalgar Thorpdale RSL branch.
Branch president Ray James said Remembrance Day was an important day to stop and remember all those who fought for our country.
“It’s a day that all people are remembered, at all theatres of war. A day we remember those who have lost their lives.
“Today marks the centenary of armistice…it is 100 years since hostilities on the Western Front ceased.
“But this was not the end of that war, it was only the end of that fighting. The end occurred on 28th June, 1919.
Mr James said we must never forget the sacrifice of those who fought and lost their lives in all wars.
Archdeacon Sue Jacka said the armistice marked a day when peace was declared and “all the world hoped that peace would be lasting.”
“What went so horribly wrong? Peace without justice will not last.
Rev Jacka said peace will be only achieved when “people of different views and lifestyles are accepted” and everyone had a role to play in achieving that.
Wreaths were laid at the Trafalgar cenotaph by RSL, Legacy, Baw Baw Shire, Trafalgar Primary School, Trafalgar High School, Trafalgar Lions Club and Venturers.
Representatives of the Hillis family also laid a wreath. The service recognised four members of the Hillis family who fought in World War I and only one returned. Family members from as far as Bendigo travelled to be a part of the special tribute to the family.
Bunyip The sound of bagpipes rang through the streets of Bunyip on Remembrance Day as Irish pipers Rod McMurrich and Tracey Wilson led a parade from the Bunyip Hall to the cenotaph.
Bunyip RSL president Colin Teese welcomed the crowd of approximately 100 people to the service at the cenotaph.
“This day we remember 100 years since the ending of World War One. It was in 1918 when fellow Australians were able to return home to their families. We also remember those men and women who lie buried in many countries or at sea” said Colin.
Colin also recounted a more recent story of loss in saying “it is with respect that we remember it’s been 50 years since private John Tinkham of Tonimbuk was killed in action in Vietnam”.
He also highlighted a personal story where love letters had been found in a drawer of a family member from her partner who did not return from the war.
A prayer was read by retired Anglican Minister Father Jones before a number of wreathes were laid.