Bendigo, Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, Mildura: Victoria’s Remembrance Day 2024 in photos

Victorians have gathered across the state on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to pay their respects to the men and women who served the nation. SEE THE PHOTOS

Mount Martha Primary School Year 5 students Jess, Heidi, Connor and PJ laid a wreath and the boys read In Flanders Fields during the service at Mornington Memorial Park. Picture: Lucy Callander

Thousands of Victorians have gathered at Remembrance Day services across the state to remember the servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in all wars and peacekeeping missions.

More than 65 services were held by RSL sub branches statewide from Mildura, to Bendigo, to Gippsland.

Bendigo

Bendigonians of all generations gathered at the Soldiers Memorial Institute on Pall Mall to hear Stafford Kelly CSC give a moving tribute to the Unknown Soldier who represents all soldiers killed at war.

“We will never know who he was, but he represents our nation,” Mr Kelly said.

“While the guns fell silent on November 11, 1918, they regrettably have not remained so.

“War remains inevitably a human endeavour.”

Community groups, emergency services, schools and family members of veterans laid wreaths after the Last Post and a reading of In Flanders Fields.

President of the Bendigo District RSL sub-branch Glenn Ludeman said November 11 was a chance to honour Australia’s war veterans.

“We hope it goes no further, but to pay the type of respect we have today was just wonderful and … that understanding and respect for those that services and those that paid the supreme sacrifice.”

He said the veteran community in Bendigo remained strong to this day, and the local sub-branch continued to raise funds to support veterans and their families across Greater Bendigo.

Moe

In Gippsland, crowds gathered at the Moe RSL sub-branch on Albert St for one minute of silence and to remember those who never returned.

Sub-branch president Steve Mayes said the importance of Remembrance Day was to “commemorate” the ending of hostilities in World War I.

“That’s basically why we’re here,” Mr Mayes said.

He added it was a great turnout for the sub-branch

“Very good – lots of support – we reached out to the schools this year and younger members of the community, service groups, police and ambulance,” Mr Mayes said.

“It’s been really good – the weather was so good and the crowd was fairly big for a Remembrance Day service.”

Mornington Peninsula

Dozens of people gathered at Mornington Memorial Park to honour the fallen at a moving Remembrance Day service.

Children from Mount Martha Primary School laid wreaths and recited In Flanders Field in tribute to the men and women who have died serving their country.

Locals including UK expats Tony and Gerry Doherty attended the event which included the reading of the list of local service men and women lost in battle.

Ms Doherty said while the couple also attended Anzac Day services, Remembrance Day had special significance.

“It’s for all the fallen so we can honour our British service men and women as well,” she said.

Susanne La Fontaine laid wreaths for federal Flinders federal Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie and Mornington state Liberal MP Chris Crewther.

“I’m also here for my grandfather who was at Gallipoli and my uncle who was a Prisoner of War at Changi,” she said.

About 50 people attended the event which is one of the smaller services on the Mornington Peninsula.

Mildura