“We will remember them”: Region to pause for Remembrance Day

Today (Saturday, November 11) marks 105 years since conflict on the Western Front ended in World War I, as the world pauses to honour and remember those who gave their lives in times of war.

The community will don poppies and congregate at memorials, town halls, and retired service leagues across Geelong, the Bellarine, and Surf Coast as part of this year’s Remembrance Day proceedings.

Waurn Ponds War Memorial’s Remembrance Day service will be among the services taking place this morning, beginning at 10.45am at Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve, on the corner of Waurn Ponds Drive and Cochranes Road.

Memorial committee member Jeff Harriott said Remembrance Day was a solemn day in the calendar for Australia and many families across the region but remained significant for community organisations dedicated to preserving the memory of fallen servicemen and servicewomen.

“Remembrance Day is a solemn time for us all as we remember those who have served and those who have passed away in the line of duty.

“It is an important day to us a committee reserve. It is one of two services we hold throughout the year in addition to our July service commemorating the commissioning of Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve.

“But that sentiment of remembrance will be echoed throughout the services being held across Greater Geelong, Golden Plains and the Surf Coast.”

Remembrance Day was first held in 1919, when it was originally named Armistice Day, a year after armed conflict during World War I formally came to an end on November 11, 1918.

Several nations, including Australia, moved to rename November 11 to Remembrance Day after the end of World War II.

Local Remembrance Day Services include:

 Geelong

• Geelong Peace Memorial at Johnstone Park from 10:30am
• Waurn Ponds War Memorial from 10:30am
• Saint Mary of the Angels Remembrance Day Mass from 10am

Bellarine

• St Leonards: St Leonards Memorial Hall from 9:00am
• Mannerim: Mannerim Remembrance Day Service from 10:30am
• Drysdale: Drysdale RSL Service from 10:30am
• Barwon Heads: Barwon Heads Community Hall on Hitchcock Ave from 10:45am
• Portarlington: Portarlington Cenotaph on Pier Street from 10:45am
• Leopold: Leopold War Memorial from 10.30am

• Queenscliff: Service RSL Sub Branch Hall from 10:45am

Surf Coast

• Torquay: Point Danger War Memorial from 10:30am
• Anglesea: Anglesea & District War Memorial from 10.30am
• Lorne: ANZAC Memorial Park, Mountjoy Parade from 10.30am
• Winchelsea: Winchelsea War Memorial Cairns from 10.45am
• Modewarre: Dedication of Lone Pine at Modewarre Memorial Hall from 2:00pm

The Ode of Remembrance

‘They shall grow not old,

‘as we that are left grow old;

‘Age shall not weary them,

‘nor the years condemn.

‘At the going down of the sun

‘and in the morning

‘We will remember them.

‘Lest we forget’