By Bob Richards and Tanya Steele
The 2024 Remembrance Day service saw veterans and locals gather to reflect and remember on Monday 11 November.
The Dandenong Ranges RSL sub-branch in Sassafras saw both young and old assemble to honour our veterans.
President of the sub-branch Bob Richards – a retired naval officer said it was a successful event this year.
“There were just under 100 locals in attendance, a pleasing result for a working Monday,” he said.
In welcoming those in attendance, Mr Richards explained why Remembrance Day is such a special day for veterans.
“While Remembrance Day might not have the national prominence of ANZAC Day, that does not make it less important,” he said.
“Indeed, both days are essential to the ex-service community; each commemoration helps veterans connect with one another, process their past experiences, and enable them to look towards the future.”
The entire student body from the Sassafras Primary School attended with their teachers to make the day very special.
The RSL again invited the students to lay special ceramic poppies at the foot of the memorial to remember all those who have served in uniform and who have sacrificed for our nation.
“A few years ago, the school and the RSL joined forces on a project to make 103 ceramic poppies – one for each of the residents of the Sassafras/Ferny Creek region who joined an arm of the services during World War One,” said Mr Richards.
Some of these ceramic poppies are on full-time display in the RSL’s garden and the remainder are kept for use on occasions like ANZAC and Remembrance Days.
The names of the 103 local veterans are permanently recorded at the Anzac Avenue Memorial in Ferny Creek.
Lieutenant Bijan Shekibi, a currently serving naval officer from HMAS Cerberus, gave the Remembrance Day address and among some historical details about WW1, he spoke about what Remembrance Day means to today’s generation of servicemen and women.
He also spent time explaining to the school children in attendance the meaning of some of the symbols of remembrance, like the significance of poppies, the origins of the Ode, the Last Post and why we half-mast flags.
“In Flanders Fields” was read by Steve Gray and Paul Barton played the Last Post.
Official wreath laying took place with Mr Mark Atkinson and Lieutenant Shekibi and others making their own floral tributes on the day, including MP Daniela De Martino and MP Aaron Violi MP.
Wreaths were also laid by the Sassafras – Ferny Creek CFA and the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society.
All joined together for the Australian National Anthem to close the ceremony,
