More than 200 people attended the Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch Remembrance Day service yesterday morning at the Bairnsdale Cenotaph, remembering all those who served and lost their lives in war on the 100-year anniversary of the World War I Armistice.
Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch president, Allan Pappin, welcomed everyone before Nagle College student, Hannah Martin, read Laurence Binyon’s For the Fallen.
Captain David Jones, of the Salvation Army, prayed for all those who made the supreme sacrifice and for all those currently serving our country.
Tom De Voil, Steve Anderson, Sargent Mitch Bohdal and Ernie Forrest laid wreaths on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and the Returned and Services League of Australia respectively.
Mr Pappin recited The Ode. The Last Post was played and following a minutes’ silence the Rouse was also played.
Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch vice president, Rick O’Haire, addressed the crowd, detailing how Australian found its identity during the war to end all wars.
“The war changed Australia. The Australia of 1914 had only federated 13 years earlier. Most Australians called themselves British,” he said.
“The Australians by the end of the war had established a persona that was identifiably Australian. They had a sense of humour, a belief in a fair go and equality and a degree if larrikinism. They were the equal of anybody and could proudly look anyone in the eye, they had cast off the yoke of self-doubt and they were now Australians.
“Perhaps the first time this Australian identity was demonstrated on an international stage occurred at the Peace Treaty talks at Versailles when United States of America president, Woodrow Wilson, questioned why Australia, which had a population of five million people, should have a say in proceedings instead of being relegated to a British dominion to which Australian Prime Minister, Billy Hughes rose and said to Wilson ‘I speak for 60,000 dead, for how many do you speak?’.”
A field of remembrance was set up next to the cenotaph with the 242 poppy laden crosses paying tribute to the local 241 men and one women who lost their lives during or as a result of WWI.
In Flanders Field was recited by Nagle College student, Freya Hamilton, with everyone then standing for the National Anthem.
Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch senior vice president, Ray Rack, rounded off the ceremony with the Kohima Epitaph.
