Silence fell on the Western Front of WWI at the signing of the armistice between the Allied forces and Germany at 11am on 11 November, 1918, in a war in which 416,000 Australians enlisted and more than 60,000 lives were lost, Ninderry MP Dan Purdie told guests at the Remembrance Day ceremony at Coolum-Peregian RSL subbranch last Saturday.
For a nation of five million people it was a terrible price to pay, but it was a moment of truth for the nation – the courage, mateship and honour borne out of those days is a legacy we should never forget, he said.
Remembrance Day services were held across the region to remember more than 100,000 Australians who have paid the ultimate price in various conflicts and to pay respect to all defence men and women who keep our country safe and secure.
Coolum Beach State High School students Noah and Holly spoke to attendees about the significance of Remembrance Day to them.
Noah, who told of his family’s history of military service, said it was appropriate for young Australians to look to history and remember stories of the past.
Remember them because their sacrifice affords us every freedom we enjoy today, he said.
Holly said she hoped young people would use the opportunity of Remembrance Day to express gratitude to all those who served and whose sacrifice should inspire us in the future.
Coolum Beach Baptist church pastor John Curtis spoke of the thousands of soldiers lost at Gallipoli and of one of the last soldiers evacuated from Gallipoli, Jack Tarrant, who left something more behind.
Gathering up unused ration packs he left them for Turkish soldiers with a message inside telling them the food was not poison, it was good to eat, alongside his address.
He counted as one of the highlights of his life attending the wedding of a daughter of a Turkish soldier who was a recipient of the rations he provided.
Stories like that make me proud to be an Aussie, the pastor said.
