Remembrance Day respects paid in Leongatha

WHILE the mud and blood of WWI trenches was a world away from Leongatha’s glorious Wednesday sunshine, locals turned out in strong numbers to pay respects to those whose lives were lost to or ruined by war.

They gathered outside the Memorial Hall, hearing Leongatha RSL President Bill Verboon speak of the history of what was originally known as Armistice Day, now Remembrance Day.

“The day’s sombre associations have never changed,” he declared, having spoken of people gathering around Australia before local war memorials in 1919, pausing in common reflection, remembering the dead and beginning an enduring tradition.

Mr Verboon reflected on the more than 102,000 Australians the Australian War Memorial lists as having lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

WWI, referred to as The Great War, was to be the war to end all wars but people now gather on Remembrance Day to reflect on the price Australia and countries around the world have paid through more than a century of war and conflict.

With Remembrance Day recalling the guns falling silent on the Western Front at 11am in 1918, Mr Verboon touched on the sentiment at the time.

“The momentous announcement that the fighting was over was met with joyful celebrations around Australia, but joy was neither universal nor unqualified,” he said.

“Too many had died; too many more were wounded or made ill by their war service.”

Moving hymns played by South Gippsland Shire Brass Band set a mood of respect and reflection.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of various community organisations, Mr Verboon read the Ode, Natalie Meadows played the Last Post and soon the brief but emotional service ended with the Australian National Anthem.