Deniliquin’s 2023 Remembrance Day will see a changing of the guard with Afghan veteran Matthew Holloway delivering the address at tomorrow’s service at the Cenotaph.
The Service will begin with the town’s traditional 11am sounding of the fire siren – to commemorate the minute the guns finally fell silent across the battlefields of World War I.
It is a signal which invites locals to join with the formal Service by observing a minute’s silence in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Deniliquin RSL Sub-Branch president John Harris says public interest in, and support of, Remembrance Day has been growing steadily in recent years, with more than 100 or 120 people turning out.
Mr Harris says one of the most pleasing things about the resurgence of Remembrance Day is the involvement of younger people, with local schools participating more and more.
He says one of the things which “warms” his heart is when young people show up wearing the medals from someone in their family, which could go back to a grandfather and beyond.
“Every RSL member appreciates seeing young people wanting to be part of this link with our country’s military history, and by wearing family medals on the right side of their chest, it is a wonderful sign of awareness, and we hope of pride and respect,” Mr Harris says.
“After the initial minute of silence tomorrow, the formal activities will begin immediately at Waring Gardens, on the corner of Cressy and Napier streets,” he says.
“That will include the Prayer to the Fallen, a welcome from the Mayor, Matthew’s address, the Last Post, the Ode and Reveille.
“It is a traditionally short Service, about 20 minutes, and that is part of its appeal. It has a simple message of sacrifice, of a debt owed by those of us here today, and of course the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month has always had a certain drama and relief about it.
“And we invite anyone who wishes to lay a wreath to join us for the part of the Service straight after Reveille is sounded.”
In 1914 Australia had a population of fewer than five million, yet 416,809 men would enlist, of which 218,000 would become casualties, including 62,000 killed. In the first year of the war soldiers had to be aged between 18 and 35 – although that was increased to 45 in 2015.
Enlistment, which was voluntary for the entire war, saw a staggering 38.7 per cent of all Australian males, in uniform.
More than 3000 women also enlisted in the armed forces but tens of thousands of others served in agriculture and industry to help keep the Australia war effort going and to fill in for the men fighting.
Mr Harris says Edward River Council's ongoing maintenance of the Cenotaph precinct and its assistance in preparing for the Service is an important part of the tradition.
He says while some seating will be provided, it is always difficult to predict numbers and recommends anyone who needs to be seated on what is expected to be a warm morning try and bring some of their own.
“The Service, as has been our practice for many years, will be held on the spectacular Waring Gardens side of the Cenotaph to allow for those attending to use the shade to escape the expected heat,” Mr Harris added.
“Then, as we come together to commemorate all those men and women who have served and died, we can remember family members, friends and acquaintances, it is important we show our combined appreciation to especially remember those locals who sacrificed and suffered on their community's and on our nation's behalf.”