At Gawler RSL’s Remembrance Day Service paying their respects at Pioneer Park last Wednesday were Gawler Mayor Karen Redman, Gawler RSL president Paul Little and Member for Light Tony Piccolo. PHOTOS: Sara Gilligan
AT the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, a record crowd paused in Gawler’s Pioneer Park to remember the sacrifices of all who served the nation.
Poppies painted a sea of appropriately distanced locals who attended the Gawler RSL Remembrance Day Service last Wednesday to mark 102 years since the Armistice was signed to end World War I – a conflict that claimed the lives of 60,000 Australians.
Gawler RSL president Paul Little said the turnout was “one of the best” when compared to previous years.
“I’m impressed because I have seen people here today that I have never seen here before,” he said.
“I think it’s a lot to do with not having the Anzac Day service go ahead.
“Finally it feels like this hasn’t been a wasted year as far as veterans are concerned, and it is good to see the younger ones from the Air Force participate.
“The baton for us older guys is being passed onto a younger generation of men and women, which I think is great.”
The laying of wreaths by dignitaries and the sounding of the Last Post was followed by a minute’s silence and an AP-3C Orion Royal Australian Air Force aircraft flypast.
During a commemorative address, Gawler Salvation Army Major Darren Cox said the solution to humanity’s problems lies in “the renewing of our minds”.
“Fellow Australians I just ask that each of us would endeavour to live as people of peace,” he said.
“Friends I believe that there are times when we need to fight, when we fight against injustice and evil.
“There are times when we need to stand strong, times as a nation where we need to draw a line in the sand and say this is not how humanity works.
“But we can only do that if we are at peace within ourselves. Peace is internal.”
Mr Little encouraged locals to participate in similar commemorations, despite a changing world.
“War is a terrible thing and you’ve got to remember the sacrifices men and women made,” he said.
“Days like today show it isn’t in vain and we continue to have a great Australia because of the sacrifices those people did. That’s important to remember.”
