Yesterday was the centenary of Remembrance Day in Australia and around the world – the first was held in 1919 a year after World War 1 ended, when a minute’s silence was observed on the anniversary of the war’s end, Armistice Day.
This became Remembrance Day in 1945.
Again this year, on the 100th anniversary of the commemoration, the increased attendance of young people at the ceremonies was a pleasing feature for the organisers, Narrabri RSL sub branch and its support group of volunteers.
Narrabri RSL sub branch president Gary Mason highlighted the participation of school age children, ranging from pre-schoolers to high school students, at the Narrabri service.
Representatives of two Narrabri schools, Narrabri High captain Breanna Smith and vice captain Meagan Dampney, and St Francis Xavier’s captains Sophia Lampe and Jack Hartnett, gave carefully researched and well presented addresses on the elements of Remembrance Day, its significance and its historical context.
The audience responded warmly to Mr Mason’s call for applause at the conclusion of their speeches.
The Narrabri community was well represented by a large audience, a further confirmation that the spirit of Remembrance Day remains strong and is growing.
For some of the young participants, this was their first Remembrance Day.
The youngest were pupils from Kogil Street Pre-School, the most senior were former service people and their family members.
All were joined in solemn remembrance at what was a moving service.
Mr Mason reminded the gathering of the scale of the sacrifice made by Australia in World War 1.
“We will remember the 416,809 Australians who served their nation during the Great War and in conflicts since,” he said.
“To forget is to do a disservice to those who served and who died.”
To order photos from this page click here
