Tuesday, 12 November 2024

 Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (13:28): Remembrance Day was observed across Ballarat by solemn and moving ceremonies. At the Arch of Victory service president Garry Snowden shared stories of Ballarat fathers who left behind young families when answering the call and, sadly, never returned home. Well done to the Ballarat High School vice-captains Emity Howlett and Charlie Hann for reading the names of the fallen. Thank you to the Arch of Victory and Avenue of Honour committee for the work they do to ensure that we never forget.

I wish to recognize the RSL Sebastopol sub-branch and president Kevin Scott for the service held at Albert Street cenotaph. It was wonderful for the children from the Journey Early Learning centre to attend the commemoration with their poppies.

The Ballarat RSL Remembrance Day commemoration was a moving and well-attended service. Thank you to the Ballarat RSL and president Frank Nuccio; the City of Ballarat; Sue Hyde; MC Reg Mowat; Major Robert Powell; Reverend Michael O’Brien; Victoria Police; the 8th/7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment; RSM WO1 Matthew Verney; catafalque commander James Keyte and catafalque party privates Robinson, Fletcher, Osborne and Kent and the flag party from the Sebastopol cadets; students Charlotte Irvin and Phoebe Pittard; the Ballarat Vintage Brass Band; Sing Australia; and musicians Chris Farrington, Chris Ducardis, Sue Brant and Peter Gunn.

The ex-prisoner-of-war service was also a beautiful service, and it was great to have representatives from HMAS Ballarat in attendance as well as students from Ballarat High, Mount Rowan, Newington Primary – (Time expired)