November 11, 2015
Wednesday, November 11 was Remembrance Day …
Around the South Burnett, ten separate Remembrance Day Services were held at 11:00am to mark the 97th anniversary of the day the guns fell silent on the battlefields of World War I.
Here is a brief wrap-up of how some of our towns commemorated this solemn event.
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Kingaroy
A small crowd of about fifty people turned out for the traditional Remembrance Day Service at Memorial Park in Kingaroy.
South Burnett Deputy Mayor Cr Keith Campbell read the address from the Rotunda.
He reminded the audience this year marked the 97th anniversary of the signing of the Armistace, the formal agreement that brought an end to World War I.
Since that time, however, Australia’s armed forces had been involved in many conflicts in many other theatres of war all over the world.
The purpose of Remembrance Day was to honour the memories of all service personnel, alive and dead, and the sacrifices they had made in the service of Australia and its democratic values, culture and traditions.
Cr Campbell’s address was followed by a playing of The Last Post, a minute’s silence at 11:00am, and then the laying of wreaths and poppies on the War Memorial.
Many veterans and their families, along with a group of students from St John’s Lutheran School, witnessed the service.
After the ceremony was over, Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch president Don Davey invited guests back to the RSL to enjoy complimentary refreshments.
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Wondai
Wondai’s Remembrance Day service was organised by the Wondai RSL Sub-Branch, and followed the traditional format.
A short speech was given and The Last Post played, followed by a minute’s silence.
After this, Wondai RSL Sub-Branch president Neil Burrows and Cr Ros Heit performed the official wreath-laying ceremony, which was witnessed by a small crowd of guests.
Some stood under the Town Hall’s entrance to avoid the bright sunshine, while others took up positions around the War Memorial.
Afterwards, guests adjourned to the nearby Diggers Club for refreshments.
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Proston
Proston’s Remembrance Day service was organised by Proston State School students and staff – a tradition that now stretches back many years.
Cr Kathy Duff and chaplain Vic Chapman were special guests at this year’s ceremony.
- Related article: Yarraman’s Diggers Aren’t Forgotten
