Remembrance Day 2018

Published on 11 November 2018

Speech given by Mayor Joe McCracken at Remembrance Day 2018 - 100 year anniversary commemorative service, Memorial Square, Colac.

Memorial Square, 11 November 2018

I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians and law makers of this land, their elders past and present, and welcome all Aboriginal people here today.

This is the Gulidjan country of the Eastern Maar nation.

Welcome everyone to Colac’s Remembrance Day service. I would like to acknowledge Colac RSL President Brian Lloyd, serving members of the Armed Forces, returned service personnel, fellow Councillors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman.

This moment, this hour, this day – we dedicate to the fallen.

100 years ago, the armistice was signed. The world would never be the same. In a train carriage not far north of Paris, at 5:00am in the morning – both Germany and the allies signed, bringing an end to four years of brutal, bloody war. At 11:00am, as per the armistice – the guns fell silent.

The eerie echo of still silence engulfed the battlefields.  And the silence of homes where fathers, uncles, brothers, nephews and sons would never return to, that is silence that haunt’s those left behind.

Many who are gathered here today are fortunate that we don’t have a personal experience of war. We don’t know the pressure, heartache, desperation, and sheer enormity of what those before us have experienced. And that in itself is a great success – because those that went before, who fought in bloodied battles, who sacrificed their lives – they went through all that, so their ancestors, like us, didn’t have to.

That is why today is so important. 

Today is about remembering the ultimate sacrifice that many of our soldiers made.

These were Australians whose lives are remembered by their actions and deeds.

They aren’t measured by their age, their beauty, or their job.

These men and women, these warriors, these strangers from another era, have bestowed upon us a great legacy from the past, which is the foundation our nation is built upon.

The spirit of that has become our national identity.

Gifts of determination, generosity, compassion, self-confidence, individuality, care – but most of all – of service.

A spirit born on the cliffs of Gallipoli.

Matured in the mud of Europe.

Hardened in the sands of the middle east.

A spirit tested again and again on land, sea and sky.

A spirit which draws us all together in times of need.

A spirit which may seem to slumber, but rises to draw new breath amid dark skies, stormy seas or amidst the rubble of disaster.

But why did they make that sacrifice?

I firmly believe that the most fundamental reason for going to war is to protect our society, our way of life, and the values we all share – to protect the spirit of our great land, and to ensure the burning ambitions and desires of a young country like Australia would continue to light up the world for a many years to come.

And Australia is a light in our world.

Our nation gives us freedom to think, to move, to speak, to worship, to vote, to fairness before the law, to raise a family, to play sport, to learn and to prosper.

Our diggers were proud Australians; we remember and we salute those who have gone before us, and those that have fallen for us.

So on this day 100 years ago, the guns would have fallen silent across the globe. An end to the hostilities that wreaked so much destruction upon humanity.

Today is our opportunity to pay homage, to pay our respects, and to commemorate. But I bet those diggers of 100 years ago would be looking forward at us here today, gathered in their memory, and smiling down upon us.

Because they know that today is not just about looking back at the past – it’s also about looking forward to our future. As much as today

is dedicated to our fallen, it is also dedicated to those who remain to carry on the tradition.

It’s about acknowledging all that we have achieved as a people, despite the challenges we have faced.

Today is a day where we can stand shoulder to shoulder, hold our heads high, and take pride in being Australian.

Lest we forget.