Remembrance Day commemorated with traditional Tea Gardens service

DOZENS of locals paused to remember the fallen on 11 November, at a solemn Remembrance Day ceremony held in Anzac Park, Tea Gardens, under a bright, hot, late-spring sky.

Led by Tea Gardens RSL sub-Branch Treasurer Terry Munright, local representatives and veterans of the various armed forces were joined by a special Catafalque Party provided by 77 Squadron out of RAAF Williamtown.

After the appropriate silence at 11am sharp, the Prayer for the King was read by the Women’s Auxiliary’s Lois McShane, before the Myall Melodians led everyone in singing the hymn The Recessional and, later, Abide With Me.

Sub-Branch President Mal Motum spoke of the events leading to the signing of the Armistice to end World War 1, 107 years ago.

“One in five Australians who served overseas in WWI died there,” he said.

“The Western Front graves hold more Australian dead than any other war graves.

“When the survivors came home, the joy was neither universal nor unqualified, as too many had died.

“Memorials were created across Australia, and the first time a minute’s silence was held was on 11/11/1919.

“A year later… unknown soldiers were entombed at Westminster [Abbey, in London] and the Arc de Triomphe [in Paris].”

The day was changed from Armistice Day to Remembrance Day after the Second World War, to remember those who died in all conflicts.

As Shirley Croxon prepared to read and provide historical context on two poems, In Flanders Field and The Victory Emblem, the crowd could hear the approaching roar of the RAAF jet circling the bay and surrounding hinterland ceremonies, before it swung low and directly overhead at Tea Gardens.

Several other community groups paid their respects through the laying of wreaths, including Tea Gardens Public School and its Student Parliament ministers: Prime Minister Grace Charbel, Minister for Transport Lucas Edwards, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Deputy Prime Minister Harlow Cook, Minister for Education Logan Ralphs, Minister for the Environment Christine O’Brien.

The Jimmys Beach Aquatic Club also symbolically landed on the sandy shores of Anzac Park, and saluted during bugler Bill Pool’s live rendition of the Last Post.

Reverend Richard Goscombe gave a moving final oration as the ‘padre’ of the local RSL sub-Branch.

“Today, have you considered the fact that it is not the glorious victories, but the devastating defeats that we seem to focus upon – Gallipoli, heavy losses at Villers-Bretonneux and Fromelles,” he said.

“I believe it is a significant mark of our nation that this is our focus, and to despise the shame of defeat.

“Can you imagine the French getting together to remember the Battle of Trafalgar?

“Suffering today is only seen as a bad thing, but those young soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses were willing to lay their lives down in sacrifice.

“I am humbled and inspired by what you do here, and hope that you continue to remember that we live free in this wonderful land of God’s good giving.”

By Thomas O’KEEFE