Vice president of the Bairnsdale RSL, Ray Rock, led the Remembrance Day service at the Bairnsdale War Cemetery starting at 10.30am on Tuesday, 11 November.
It has been 107 years since the end of World War I, and Remembrance Day is held across Australia to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Local community members at the Bairnsdale service braved cold weather and rain and listened to Nagle College year 9 student, Isla Campbell, respectfully deliver the address in her own words.
In her speech, Isla reflected on the importance of gratitude and
living by the values of those who served.
“To me, remembrance is about gratitude and living our lives to the absolute fullest as a way to say thank you — not just with words, but with the values we live by, to those who fought and laid down their lives for our safety,” she said.
She also spoke about the meaning of courage and mateship, describing the men and women of the
armed forces as “ordinary people just like you and I… who, through hardship, mateship and determination, formed the courage to face the enemy with incredible might and selflessness.”
Local State Member of Parliament Tim Bull attended and read the Ode of Remembrance.
The local Remembrance Day service used to be held in Main Street, but for some years now the quiet and sombre service has been held at Bairnsdale’s War Cemetery.
