Busselton stands tall for Remembrance Day

Busselton was awash with red poppies as the local community gathered today to remember those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

Along with the local RSL sub-branch and Australians across the world, the community stood tall on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.

Originally started to commemorate the ending of World War I, the day has evolved to remember all soldiers past and present who made the ultimate sacrifice in war.

RSL president Glen Woodward said the past two years of pandemic uncertainty had reminded the community the importance of remembering the soldiers who had ensured the Australian freedom today and showed the Australian resilience remained.

“It’s been two years like no other... It’s made us acutely aware of our national and international boarders and how quickly we can be cut of from people, places and things we hold dear,” he said.

“The pain and suffering of our nation and its people have been immense, so too have been the courage and conviction of us all who know what it means to be Australian during this challenging time

“Dealing with adversity with grace, sense of humour and courage is part of the Australian way

“It’s not the first time our nation has faced collective suffering if you reflect on the past and if history tells us anything it wont be the last.”

With a reading of Flanders Fields, the poem which inspired the symbol of the poppy, and the last post played across the gathering, the community stood for a minute of silence at 11.11am.

It was revealed at the end of the service this year’s Poppy Appeal raised the local sub-branch almost $6000 which will go towards supporting generations of Diggers both past and present.