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.'