Buy a poppy and come along to Remembrance Day this Wednesday

IN THE lead up to Remembrance Day this Wednesday, November 11, RSL Australia urges everyone to purchase a poppy so the RSL can continue its work supporting veterans and their families across the country.

While there will be plenty of opportunities to buy a poppy and a badge, there’s also the option of buying virtual poppies on the Poppy Appeal website HERE.

The digital poppy appeal allows members of the public to name and dedicate a poppy in honour of someone who has served and share it with their social media network.

Your virtual poppy could be dedicated to your great grandfather who served at Gallipoli, your aunt who served in the Australian Women's Army in the Second World War, a current serving member of the Australian Defence Force, or a peacekeeper in one of the dozens of missions where Australia has served.

It is a meaningful way to honour the service of someone special while helping raise awareness about this important appeal.

“The digital poppy will allow members of the community to honour a friend, a family member or even a stranger whose story has meant something to them,” RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley said.

“It is a way of saying thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

Traditional poppies and badges will also be sold by thousands of dedicated volunteers at shopping centres and street corners across Australia. They can also be purchased from RSL Sub-Branches or online through the Poppy Appeal website.

Money raised in the appeal assists with the diverse range of services the RSL provides to veterans and their families, from emergency financial assistance to advocacy and social inclusion activities.

“The RSL is Australia’s oldest veterans’ charity,” Peter Tinley said.

“Our purpose has always been to assist veterans and their families. The poppy appeal helps us to change lives, one veteran at a time.”

Where to support Remembrance Day

• FOSTER: THE Foster RSL will hold a service at the cenotaph at 11am conducted by RSL president Bruce Lester. Members of the community are invited to take part in the wreath laying.
• GRANTVILLE: A short service will take place at the Grantville Transaction Centre at 10.30am on Remembrance Day. A guest speaker will say a few words but had not been confirmed at the time of printing. This will be followed by the sound of a bugle, the raising of the flag and a minute's silence. The Bass Valley Friends of the RSL committee will be bringing a plate to share, and a morning tea will be held after the service.
• INVERLOCH: A week of commemorative observation will begin with a service at Inverloch Coast Care on Monday November 9. The main service will be held at the Inverloch cenotaph at 10.45am on Wednesday November 11, with students from Inverloch Primary School and Bass Coast College reciting poems and speaking about the significance of the day. The community is invited to lay wreaths. Afterwards, Bass Coast Mayor Cr Brett Tessari and Bendigo Bank representatives will open a wall of paintings and Australian Defence Force panels from World War I and World War II at the back of the Inverloch Community Hub stadium, followed by a light lunch at the RSL.
• KORUMBURRA: The community is invited to attend a short service at the Coleman Park cenotaph at 10.45am. Schools, community groups and the general public are invited to lay wreaths and a morning tea will be held afterwards.
• LANG LANG: The Lang Lang community will come together on Remembrance Day for a wreath laying at 11am at the RSL. Community members, businesses and organisations are welcome to come along and remember those who served. Those wishing to lay a wreath are encouraged to register interest with the Lang Lang RSL.
• LEONGATHA: A commemorative service will begin at the Leongatha cenotaph at 10.45am with an address from Leongatha RSL president William Verboon. It will be followed by a wreath laying, The Last Post, a minute's silence and The Rouse, with the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band performing. The community is invited back to the RSL for a light lunch afterwards.
• MEENIYAN: The community will assemble at 10.45am for a short Remembrance Day service. Meeniyan CWA's Heather Scott will speak at the service. The service is community-organised to acknowledge and remember those who have served and sacrificed.
• NYORA: A service will be held at the Nyora cenotaph in Nyora Park at 10.30am.
• PHILLIP ISLAND: The Phillip Island service will start at 10.45am at the Cowes' cenotaph with the catafalque party. A representative from Cowes Primary School will be the guest speaker, with piper Mac Cameron and bugler Craig Marinus providing the music. Those wishing to lay a wreath are asked to contact the Phillip Island RSL via info@pirsl.com.au. The service is expected to finish at 11.30am, followed by light refreshments at the Phillip Island RSL.
• SAN REMO: The San Remo cenotaph will be the setting for a commemoration on Remembrance Day. Those attending should gather at 10.30am for a 10.45am start so the service fits in with a minute's silence at 11am. Vietnam veteran John Methven will officiate. While he announced his retirement from the role during the town's Anzac Day service, he said he wanted to round out the year by presiding over Remembrance Day. Peter Buitenhaus will play The Last Post and Reveille. Everyone is welcome and the San Remo Hotel will host morning tea afterwards. The commemoration is organised by a small committee of local people under the auspices of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum sub-branch. The cenotaph is on the foreshore opposite the IGA.
• TOORA: A Remembrance Day service will be conducted at the cenotaph at 10.45am. The service will include a wreath laying and words from members of the Toora RSL. Afterwards, the community is welcome to head over to the RSL for light refreshments.
• WONTHAGGI: A 10.30am service will be held at the Wonthaggi cenotaph with guest speaker Deb Parkes. The U3A Choir and Wonthaggi Primary School students will perform, followed by a wreath laying, a minute's silence at 11am and the Last Post. A light lunch will be served at the Wonthaggi RSL afterwards.