Bellarine to stop and remember on November 11

RESIDENTS across the Bellarine will stop what they’re doing at 11am on Saturday, November 11 to remember those who gave their lives in times of war and conflict as part of Remembrance Day.

Services will be held at local memorials throughout local towns across the region on the eleventh hour of next Saturday, honouring armed services personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Next Saturday marks 105 years since the Armistice of World War One was signed, providing the base for Remembrance Day proceedings.

Towns including Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Portarlington, Leopold, Mannerim, and Drysdale will all host services available to the public.

Drysdale RSL secretary David “Harry” Paterson said Remembrance Day proceedings will commence at the RSL clubrooms on 13 Princess Street in Drysdale starting at 10.30am.

“We’ll have local primary schools attending the small service, reading some poetry and conducting small speeches, before attendees begin the wreath-laying ceremony, and the minute silence is held at 11 o’clock,” Mr Paterson said.

“It’s quite an emotional and solemn ceremony on Remembrance Day.

“I can tell you there are still around 600,000 Australian ex-servicepeople. I expect there to be some in attendance next Saturday as well as relatives of fallen veterans too.”

Other services being held include:

• Leopold: Leopold War Memorial from 10.30am
• Portarlington and St Leonards: Portarlington Cenotaph and RSL Sub-Branch from 11am
• Ocean Grove: Ocean Grove War Memorial from 10.30am
• Barwon Heads: Barwon Heads Community Hall from 10.45am
• Mannerim: Mannerim Memorial Indigenous Garden from 10.30am