Pop on a poppy

By Jessica Howard

The Moorabool region will soon pause to remember those who fought at War for their country.

Remembrance Day will be held at the Bacchus Marsh RSL Hall at 10:30am on Saturday November 11 and 11am at the Cenotaph in Ballan.

The traditional Remembrance Day services will include a minute of silence and formal wreath laying, followed by morning tea.

Ballan RSL President, Rick Campey urged residents to come out in support of soldiers who have fought in all conflicts.

“Since the start of WWI, the men and women of the Ballan Shire have answered the call of our nation and have fought during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

“During WWI there were just over 170 men from the Ballan Shire who went off to fight the war. WWII saw just under 200 men and women, many of who were killed, injured or taken as prisoners of war”.

Mr Campey said the commemorative service will allow the community to remember those who suffered from the effects of war.

“It is also the day where we can show how grateful we are to those service men and women who have still put their lives at risk for our country,” he said.
This Remembrance Day will mark the 99th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War in 1918.

In the lead up to the day, the iconic red poppy will be sold throughout the region by volunteers in order to raise much needed funds for current and former servicemen and women of the Australia Defence Force.

RSL Victoria State President, Dr Robert Webster said it is as important as ever to donate to the poppy appeal.
“There is a new wave of younger veterans who are finding themselves and their families in need of assistance,” he said.
“There are also veterans in our community who are hurting, their families are struggling, and by donating to the poppy appeal and wearing a poppy, we are showing these vulnerable Victorians that we support them”.

Poppies are available for purchase from the Village Shopping Centre in Bacchus Marsh, IGA Darley, Westpac Bank, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan IGA, Ballan Newsagents, Ballan District Health and Care; and Ballan, Myrniong and Gordon Primary Schools.