Sounds of hills silence

By Tania Martin
SILENCE spread across the hills on Sunday as people stopped to remember those who lost their lives in World War I.
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a bugle call and a minute’s silence marked Remembrance Day across the country.
Remembrance Day has marked the moment in 1918 when guns on the Western Front fell silent on more than four years of continuous warfare.
The day has since attained a special significance in post war years, not only remembering those who lost their lives in WWI but all battles since them.
In the hills people stopped to honour those who gave their lives in services in Gembrook, Monbulk, Upwey-Belgrave and Mt Evelyn.
Gembrook RSL held two services this year, one for local primary school children and the other for the general public.
Last Friday Gembrook Primary School students stood in silence to remember those who have gone before them to fight for the freedom they now enjoy.
Gembrook RSL also held a community Remembrance Day service on Sunday to honour those who lost their lives.
In Monbulk more than 50 people turned up to pay their respects to soldiers who were killed during WWI.
Monbulk RSL past-president John Surridge said it was important to remember the sacrifices that diggers made to make Australia what it is today.
“They gave their lives so that future generations could live in a free country and it is our duty to honour them,” he said.
Other Remembrance Day services were held across the hills in Mt Evelyn, Emerald, Upwey-Belgrave and in Boronia.