General News
1 November, 2024
Day to reflect and pause
As another year marches on, so too does the recurrence of Remembrance Day — a time for the nation to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by Australians during the First World War.
Each year, November 11 serves as an annual commemoration of the sacrifices made by Australians in the First World War, with Remembrance Day 2024 marking 106 years since the conclusion of the harrowing four-year long conflict.
All locals are urged to pause and observe a minute’s silence at 11 am on November 11, with the time signifying the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front — on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, after Germany signed the Armistice which brought the war to an end.
Since the cessation of the First World War, countries across the world have embraced Remembrance Day as a way to pay their respects to those who served and sacrificed their lives not only in the First World War, but the wars to follow.
According to Maryborough RSL sub branch president Roy ‘Shady’ Lane, Remembrance Day’s importance is felt across the globe, as well as locally.
“Remembrance Day is an important day, just like Anzac Day, because like a lot of Australians my mother never knew her father,” he said.
“Particularly in country towns, there were whole families that were essentially lost.
“You’ve only got to look at the memorial gates at Princes Park to see the same is true here in Maryborough.
“We had young men going over at the age of 14 or 15, there was no way to electronically check people’s birth certificates like there is now, and unfortunately in some cases those young men were lost.”
Ahead of the local Remembrance Day service, local RSL sub branch members will be outside Woolworths Supermarket in Maryborough, as well as newsXpress selling badges and poppies.
Members will be at these locations today, Friday, November 1 from 9 am until 4.30 pm and again tomorrow, Saturday, November 2 from 9 am until midday.
Badges will also be available for purchase next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the same locations between 9 am and 4.30 pm.
“The community, regardless of whether it’s Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans’ Day or Anzac Day, are incredibly generous,” Mr Lane said.
“The money we raise through this goes towards supporting veterans and their families which is an important cause in the community.”
The Remembrance Day service will be held at the Soldiers’ Memorial Plot in Majorca Road from 10.45 am on Monday, November 11.