‘Lest we forget’: Big turnout for Remembrance Day at Gayndah

THERE was a bigger turnout than expected for the Remembrance Day service at the Gayndah cenotaph this morning, with community organisations and members of the public paying their respects.

Gayndah Remembrance Day

THERE was a bigger turnout than expected for the Remembrance Day service at the Gayndah cenotaph this morning, with community organisations and members of the public paying their respects.

The previous president of the RSL Boyd Baker addressed the crowd, commemorating the brave men and women who served Australia during the First and Second World Wars.

"They were the heroes of that war, not the generals, not the politicians but the soldiers, sailors and nurses - those who taught us to endure and to show courage," Mr Baker said.

"The unknown soldier honours the memory of all those men and women who laid down their lives for Australia, this is a reminder of what we have lost in war and what we have gained."

Gayndah Remembrance Day

 

Mr Baker said the turnout was three times what he was expecting and thanked everyone for attending.

"We have a duty to honour the memory of those who pay the price for defending our freedom," he said.

Mr Baker's speech was followed by wreath laying and the minute of silence at 11 o'clock.

Representatives from the RSL, the council, local schools and various community organisations laid wreaths beneath the cenotaph to pay their respects. (Picture: Kristen Camp)

Mr Baker pointed out the display that war historian and Gayndah paramedic Keith Wrench has displayed in the Town Hall until Saturday.

"Take the opportunity to have a look at what's in there, it really is a powerful reminder of many of the aspects of war and we truly are indebted to Keith for making this private collection so available for people to have a look at," he said.

Council member Dael Giddins, Mayor Rachel Chambers and RSL member Boyd Baker. (Picture: Kristen Camp)

Council member Dael Giddins said this day is important to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us.

"Some of them didn't come back and here we are standing here today having this nice conversation, smiling and laughing and there's lots of people that didn't have that opportunity, so it's a pretty special day to remember," Ms Giddins said.

"I think all our young ones need to release how important it is, our younger generation that may not have that same connection."

School leaders from Gayndah State School, Burnett State College and St Joseph’s laid wreaths. (Picture: Kristen Camp)

Ms Giddins has been coming to the services for years and says it's great to see the numbers grow each time.

"It's lovely to have the school kids represented and I think it's important for them to know there's a story behind it - an important story," she said.

"Some of us are lucky that we haven't had family members go to war but for those who did we need to remember them."

The Australian flag and the flag of Belgium were flown at Zonhoven Park to represent Gayndah’s sister town of Zonhoven in Belgium. (Picture: Kristen Camp)

Originally published as