Sunday 11 November 2018

Coburg RSL's Remembrance Day Service

This morning I was honoured to be the guest speaker at the Coburg RSL Sub-Branch's Remembrance Day Service as we reflected on the 100 years that have passed since the Armistice was signed at 11am on 11 November 1918.






The compere was Kathy Doyle. Sub-Branch President Michael Pianta spoke movingly about the war itself and its global and local impact. It was my turn then and I chose to look at how local people rebuilt their lives and found a way forward after the war was over. 

Music was provided by the 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Association Band under the baton of Ian Davidson; vocalist Hannah Desmond; buglar Gavan Stray and piper Ian Arrell. The catafalque party was made up of members of the 7 Transport Squadron.






A group of World War One re-enactors showed us what some of the equipment and a Casualty Clearing Station would have looked like.








And wreaths were laid as a moving tribute to all service personnel who have fought for Australia over the past 100 years.



The service was a time to reflect on the losses but also on the impact of that war on the local community.

I leave you now with my final words this morning:
'We are here today to remember those who died, those who returned, and their families, friends and the community. The individuals I have just spoken of looked their futures squarely in the face as they set about creating their new world. I would like to think that in the same situation, we would all do the same.'

Friday 9 November 2018

After the war was over


The National Archives of Australia has just launched an online exhibition on how Australians faced life after the war.

It's well worth a visit and you can see it here.




If you are in the area and are interested, I am speaking at Coburg Library next Monday (12 November) at 5pm. Find out more here


'The crowd in front of the Age office yesterday afternoon', Age, 13 November 1918