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Yass marks Remembrance Day

Locals stopped across the Yass Valley to mark Remembrance Day, pausing for a minute’s silence at 11:00am on what was also the 80th anniversary of the opening of the War Memorial in Canberra.

Remembrance Day has been observed since the end of the First World War by members of the Commonwealth. At 5:00am on November 11, 1918, three German representatives accepted the Armistice terms presented to them.

The demands of the armistice included the withdrawal of German forces; immediate cessation of warfare; and surrender of the German fleet and all heavy guns with no further negotiations until the signing of the peace treaty.

The armistice became effective at 11:00am the same day, and as the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium, four years of hostilities ended.

After World War II the Australian Government agreed to the UK’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Aussie lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this was the second year in a row that the march and large-scale events in Canberra have not been possible.

Instead, a small group commemorated the occasion at the Soldiers Memorial Hall, on what is the 103rd anniversary of Armistice and the end of World War I.

The Australian War Memorial marked its 80th birthday obscured from view, as construction continues on the $500 million expansion of the historic building.

Veteran Sarah Watson delivering a prayer

Due to the construction, both Canberra’s main event and the Stone of Remembrance – a 9 tonne slab of rock – have been relocated elsewhere in the memorial grounds.

Later that morning, overcast skies contributed to the sombre mood at Yass Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, where part of Comur Street was closed to allow people to gather.

More than 50 people observed the 11:00am service, which was conducted in a socially distanced fashion.

Mayor Rowena Abbey and Yass RSL’s Neil Turner together placed a wreath at the town’s memorial alongside several other veterans and their families.

Sarah Watson, RSL NSW Young Veteran’s Committee member and Wellbeing Officer, served in the Defence Force for 18 years and delivered a short prayer at the Hall’s podium during the service.

By Brianna O’Rourke

Photo: Mr Neil Turner Yass RSL, Mayor Rowena Abbey, Retired Air Vice-Marshal Bob Richardson, and CMDR Gary Brown.

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