Hundreds gathered at the Werribee War Memorial in Watton Street on Monday, November 11 to pay their respects at the annual Remembrance Day service.
The service began with a welcome by Werribee RSL president Darryl Ryan and included prayers and hymns and a commemorative address, as he acknowledged the tough situation of the current world.
“It has been 106 years since the First World War, the war to end all wars … but as we look around and read our newspapers, there’s conflicts everywhere, we are not in a happy world,” he said.
“We only have to look at the 60 crosses placed here this morning … each of them represents one of the fellas from the original Shire of Werribee back in 1915 that went off for peace.
“Thank you to everyone for coming today … It’s a warm day and a wonderful turnout. It’s great to see so many people here paying respects.”
This was followed by Wyndham council chief executive Stephen Wall reciting the Ode of Remembrance, then the Last Post, a minute of silence, the Reveille, and the national anthem.
The service was capped off by a large showing of wreaths laid onto the cenotaph, with representatives from the Werribee RSL, the local New Zealand RSL, Thomas Carr College, Tarneit Rise Primary School, as well as Lalor MP Joanne Ryan and Tarneit MP Dylan Wight.
The morning concluded back at the Werribee RSL, where guests enjoyed light refreshments and discussion.
Gerald Lynch
