Posted on November 20th, 2023

The Remembrance Day Service this year commemorated 105 years since the end of World War One. On Saturday at the 11th Hour on the 11th of November, we paused to remember over 60,000 Australians who never returned from the First World War.

The Australian sacrifice in the First World War was the greatest our country would ever pay in wartime. More than 76,000 Australians were killed, wounded, or were missing. In this centenary of the First World War, we remember the duty of the ANZAC soldiers which was to fight and die for the values and freedoms we all enjoy today. They were all volunteers who answered the call of their country, a country that will be forever grateful.

The First World War was supposed to have ended all future wars. The 105 years since the end of the First World War shows how sadly wrong that statement was. Since the end of the First World War, we have seen war after war, campaign after campaign and thousands of Australians killed in war.

In 1997, the Governor, Sir William Dean issued a proclamation formally declaring that 11 November be known as Remembrance Day and urging all Australians to observe 1 minute’s silence at 11am on the 11th of November each year to Remember all those who died or suffered for Australia in all wars and conflicts.

This year with the guidance from Club’s President Mr. Walter Robinson OAM, the club relinquished the overall operation of the Commemoration Service to our three local high schools, Cabramatta High School, Canley Vale High School, and Patrician Brothers College. We are extremely grateful to the principals who supported this initiative Ms Effie Niarchos & Mr Lachlan Erskine who orchestrated the support from their respective high schools.

The student cohort that contributed to the success of the event were:

• MC’s Maxwell Ky Cabramatta High School & Caroline Quach Canley Vale High School
• Acknowledgement to Country – Jai Shepherd Cabramatta High School
• Reading of the Ode – Maxwell Ky Cabramatta
• Bugler – Thomas Cramp Patrician Brothers College
• The Lord’s Prayer – Bishoy Gaid Patrician Brothers College
• Patrician Brother College Band – Conductor and Director Dr Chloe Hulewicz
• Guest Speaker – Angela Lam presenting Don’t take Peace for Granted
• Poem In Flanders Field by John McCrae, read by Catherine Duong & Mina Phan, Canley Vale High School
• Letter from a WWI Soldier on the Front, read by Ethan Trejo Granados, Maxwell Ky, Sebrina Tupuolo Teo & Minh Tu Pham
• Students from both Canley Vale High School and Cabramatta High School also assisted with the welcome and ushering on the morning
• Students from St Johns Park High School added their support with the photography of the entire event

Once again, we are indebted to the Commanding Officer 142 Signal Squadron 8 Regiment Australian Army Major Jonthan Broz and Warrant Officer Class Two David Joliffe for their support with the Catafalque Guard and Flag orderly. With over 50 students from various Public and Secondary schools in attendance and add to that our community the total in attendance was around 200.

Special thanks must also go to all the Management and Staff who contributed their support to the success of the Commemoration Service and the light lunch after the event. It once again was a Commemoration Service that our community will remember. It highlighted the Clubs commitment to our local area and with the added involvement of our schools. This really shows what community is about.

Lest We Forget.