The Yass community gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day and honour those who have died while serving in conflicts and peacekeeping operations at the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on the eleventh hour, day and month.
The Yass RSL Sub-Branch were pleased to see all those who attended the Remembrance Day Service and respect the importance of the day.
President Luke Hagerty said it was very well attended.
“I would have to say in the hundreds of people.
The Service itself was really sombre and matched the dignity of the occasion.
“In previous years we’ve tried to do the speeches and line up the minute’s silence with the bells and it was a nightmare. This year, courtesy of Steve Neuhaus, we decided to do the minute’s silence bang on 11:00am, so the chimes in the clocktower were sounding and it went off without a hitch. It was perfect.
“We had a great attendance of wreath layers. A representative from the Onerwal Council laid a wreath, which I thought was fantastic; the Mayor and all the dignitaries attended. It was quite a great period.
There were no special guest speakers, but I gave my reflection.”
On November 8, Yass RSL Sub-Branch President Luke Hagerty and Vice President Rev Steve Neuhaus RFD attended the RSL LifeCare – Thomas Eccles Gardens, Yass Remembrance Day Service. The Service was well attended with poems recited by Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones and Thomas Eccles resident Joyce Van Leeuwenhoek and The Last Post and The Rouse was sounded by local Yass resident Edward Alley.
Luke continued, “the importance of Remembrance Day is the remember the sacrifice of the fallen and it’s to remember the sacrifice of those who died in the service of this nation. In my reflection, I talked about the history of Armistice Day initially and then Remembrance Day to where it is today.
“After World War II it became Remembrance Day to highlight the loss and sacrifice of those in service of our nation. It was quite moving to see the people of Yass come out and support the Service.
“The age range was phenomenal, and I found that really striking. We had toddlers, all the way up to the elderly. It was a phenomenal mix of characteristics and for me, it really represented the town showing up. It reinforces what we have always said that these services and those sorts of things aren’t just for veterans, it’s for the community to come together.
“There was a brilliant tea and coffee put on by a mixture of the war widows and the RSL and that was attended by at least 50 people afterwards.”
The Times spoke with Yass Valley Council Mayor Jasmin Jones, She said, “It was well attended by the community and the road closure was a good move.
“It was a much more poignant service without the noise of the traffic and it enabled the community to gather around in larger numbers this year.
“Luke Hagerty, president of the Yass sub-branch gave quite a moving address and it reminded us all that it is not the length of time that you stop and pay your respects for, it’s the moment of reflection that matters and I thought that was something that we could all take away from it.
“If you can’t be present at the services on Remembrance Day, just taking a moment in your busy day to stop and reflect on the legacy of those that served and gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life for their country and for our way of life today.
“The range of members of the community was wonderful to see. We had pre-schoolers from a local primary school, Mt Carmel and Yass High School representing the school communities; police inspector Dave Cowell and service groups such as Yass Red Cross and Bowning Lions Club through to the Ngunnawal Aboriginal Land Council, who laid wreaths.
Pastor Keith Todd from the Baptist Church gave a benediction.
“I’m honoured to represent Yass Valley Council and come together with the community.
“Edward Alley on the bugle is always moving. For me personally I always reflect on the service of my great grandfather Vincent James Gosper who was in the 45th Battalion at the battle of Dernancourt. His superior officer was killed so he had to step up rapidly to hold the line for several hours before retreating. He was an extremely tall man in some very shallow made bunkers and he received a DCM for that.
“For us as a family I reflect on the many, many, many grandchildren and great, great grandchildren that have come from his family line, yet his brother died aged 17 in the same war.
“It always reminds me of the missing families from our communities that aren’t there that should be.”
Lest we forget.
