Waroona commemorates Remembrance Day in first event since disbandment of Waroona-Hamel RSL sub-branch

The Waroona community has marked the 104th Remembrance Day with the first local commemoration since the closure of the local RSL sub-branch. The Combined Schools and Community Remembrance Day service was held on Friday morning, with more than 100 students and other residents attending Waroona War Memorial to play their part in marking the anniversary of the end of World War I. The service was mostly led by pupils from Waroona District High School and St Joseph’s School. Waroona District High School head councillors Lachlan Birch and Thomas Scott spoke about the history of Remembrance Day and the red poppies associated with the commemoration. “Today we hold Remembrance Day Services like this one — to honour the fallen and to make sure the next generation understand the great costs associated with war,” they said. About 10 wreaths were laid during the ceremony while students from St Joseph’s School choir sang Amazing Grace. Students from both locals schools, representatives of local emergency services organisations and Waroona Shire councillors Vince Vitale and Laurie Snell laid wreaths. Past president of the Waroona-Hamel RSL Tracey Fickling also laid a wreath on behalf of Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke and recited the Ode of Remembrance. She said the town’s service first came together five years ago. “The schools and community of Waroona come together at this hallowed memorial, and pay our respects to those who have died fighting to protect the nation,” Ms Fickling said. “Lest We Forget.” It is the first commemoration held since the Waroona-Hamel RSL sub-branch closed down last month after declining members meant it was unable to form an executive committee. Local resident and retired Royal Australian Navy officer Barry Austin delivered this year’s Remembrance Day address. He noted the Shire of Waroona’s new role as sponsor of the ceremony after the closure of the sub-branch. “I challenge the students to ensure this great tradition continues in the future, in memory of those who died in the horror of past wars,” he said. St Joseph’s student Alyssa Jackson closed the service by providing a take-home thought for attendees. “Let us continue to acknowledge their sacrifice by striving to live in a peaceful and harmonious world,” she said.