Remembrance Day observances to return to the Narrabri Shire on Friday

Normal Remembrance Day observances will return to Narrabri shire on Friday, November 11, following the removal of COVID restrictions.

Ceremonies have been cancelled or reduced in recent years because of the pandemic.

Commemorations across NSW will proceed as normal this year and all members of the public can attend.

COVID restrictions of the past few years have forced the curtailment of memorial services, a facet of the pandemic which caused distress and disappointment to many in the community who gather each year to honour family members and others who served in Australia’s wars.

Amid the strictures the pandemic forced on the Australian community, the businesses, schools, sporting events, travel and every other facet of life, regret that traditional remembrance ceremonies could not proceed was a saddening reality.

Narrabri shire’s commemorations are a significant community event and each year draw larger attendances.

“We are pleased that we can again pay our respects to our servicemen and women on this national day of commemoration,” said Narrabri RSL sub-branch president Gary Mason OAM.

“On this day, we pay respect and pause to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving personnel.

“The RSL sub-branch looks forward to the community coming together to remember on this special day.”

Originally known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day marks the signing of the peace agreement between Germany and the Allies that ended the Great War of 1914-1918. The Second World War began just 21 years later. Almost a million Australians served during that conflict that lasted close to six years. Armistice Day was then renamed Remembrance Day.