From Tamworth to Tenterfield and Walgett to Guyra, communities across the New England North West will stop at 11am on Wednesday, 11 November to honour those who served their country and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended fighting on the Western Front during World War I. Every year since 1919, many nations have paused on 11 November in memory of their fallen service people.
The day acknowledges service personnel who have died while serving, including in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people in Australia and many other countries will pause for a minute of silent reflection in memory of those who died in military service.
This year’s theme is Remember To Remember. It is a reminder that the stories, service, and sacrifice of past generations should never be forgotten. Whether people observe the minute’s silence, wear a poppy, or attend a service, the aim is to help keep the legacy of service people alive. More information on the theme is available at rslnsw.org.au.
Services will be held in the region’s major centres and in its smallest communities, giving people the chance to come together and pay their respects.
Where to pay your respects
- Armidale: 10.30am, Memorial Fountain, Central Park
- Bendemeer: 10.50am, Bendemeer Memorial Gates, Memorial Park, corner of Memorial Drive and Havannah St
- Bingara: 10.50am, War Memorial Park, corner of Finch St and Memorial Ave
- Glen Innes: 11am, Anzac Park
- Gunnedah: 10.45am, Cenotaph, Elgin St
- Guyra: 10.45am, Guyra Soldiers Memorial Hall, Bradley St
- Inverell: 10.45am, War Memorial Cenotaph, Evans St. In bad weather, the service will move to the covered side deck of the Inverell RSM Club, Rivers St
- Manilla: 11am, Manilla Memorial Hall Cenotaph
- Moree: 10.45am, ANZAC Centenary Park
- Tamworth: 10.15am, War Memorial Town Hall, 26–28 Fitzroy St
- Tenterfield: 10.30am, War Memorial Hall, Molesworth St
- Uralla: 10.40am, Alma Park War Memorial Gates
- Walgett: 10am, War Memorial Park, 70 Fox St
- Warialda: 10.30am, Cenotaph, Captain Cook Park
- Werris Creek: 11am, Cenotaph, Anzac Parade
Poppies and free travel
RSL NSW sub-branches will be selling poppies in local communities. People can contact their local sub-branch for more information.
Free travel on most NSW public transport services is available to current and former members of the Defence Force and their carers, as well as spouses, children, or grandchildren of deceased and living members of the Australian Defence Force. More details are available from Transport for NSW.
The Ode
Anyone who has attended an ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day service will have heard the words of the Ode of Remembrance, often known simply as The Ode.
It comes from Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen, which he wrote less than two months after the outbreak of World War I, in response to the heavy casualties suffered by the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. Its sentiments stood in stark contrast to the tone of news reports and other poems of the time.
The Ode has been read at commemorative services in Australia since 1921. It expresses the nation’s shared respect and loss for the service people who gave their lives in World War I and in every conflict since.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
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