A SMALL but sombre crowd gathered at the Oberon RSL Sub Branch memorial at 11am on Sunday, November 11 to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who bravely served our nation in war, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
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The service included the unveiling of wall hanging of knitted poppies made by local knitters.
The day marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which brought an end to World War One. Oberon RSL Sub Branch president Bill Wilcox recited the ode and welcomed everyone.
“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,” he said.
“We are gathered here today to commemorate that immortal day when the guns fell silent across Europe. The Armistice had been signed between the allies and the Germans for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front which took effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, 100 years ago.
“This is a time to remember the sons and daughters of Anzacs who since that time have come forward without question, accepted gladly and discharged fully their responsibilities during World War 1, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan and in peace keeping operations and other conflicts. We thank every man, woman and child who, in those crucial years, died so we can enjoy the freedom we have today.”
Wreaths were laid by returned servicemen, Mayor Kathy Sajowitz, Oberon RSL manager Peter Price and St Joseph’s School vice captain Zac Sheehy.
Following the official Remembrance Day service Oberon High School student Peta McGrath gave a PowerPoint presentation on her 12 days touring London, the Somme, Kortrijk, Ypres Salient, Passchendaele, Ypres Town, and Bruges, Poperinghe as part of the NSW Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship Tour, visiting many war memorials, battlefields and cemeteries.
Peta was one of 20 Year 10 and Year 11 students from across NSW to win the prestigious scholarship.
At the conclusion of the service all joined in to sing the National Anthem.
