TRIBUTES were paid to the many lives lost in war, during a solemn and moving Remembrance Day Service, at the Cannonvale Cenotaph on Monday (November 11, 2024).
Remembrance Day occurs every year, on November 11, with services held around the Whitsundays region.
Commencing at 11am, the Cannonvale Service was organised by the Airlie Beach-Whitsunday RSL, with about 50 people in attendance.
RSL treasurer John Schweitzer welcomed the official party, including Jakki Selder (representing Amanda Camm MP), Mayor Ry Collins, Cr Jan Clifford, Cr Clay Bauman and Father Wayne Melrose.
Father Melrose then delivered a short address and requiem, followed by the Prayer of Remembrance, with everyone joining in the prayer.
This was followed by the laying of wreaths, at the base of the Cenotaph, while Mick Patullo played the bagpipes.
The ‘Ode to the Fallen’ was delivered by RSL secretary Phillip Smailes:
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.
Lest we forget.
This was followed by the ‘Last Post’, played by bugler Bryce Fraser, and a one-minute silence.
The National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand were then sung by Airlie Norton and Jenni Borellini respectively.
Father Melrose then delivered the ‘Prayer for Defence’, which was followed by the Lord’s Prayer, spoken by everyone present.
The Flag Orderly (Chief Petty Officer Peter McKellin) lowered the national flag to half-mast, before the service was closed by Phillip Smailes, who recited ‘In Flanders Fields’.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
Written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae (1915).
