PRESS RELEASE
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2014
RSL ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
AT SPRINGVALE WAR CEMETERY
ON 9 NOVEMBER 2014
The Annual RSL State Remembrance Service will be conducted at the War Graves Cemetery, Springvale within the
grounds of The Botanical Cemetery, Springvale (Melway Map 591 J10) on Sunday 9th November, 2014, commencing at
2:30pm. The Cemetery is the Principal War Cemetery in Victoria.
The Service
The Service is a major activity in the calendar of the Victorian Branch of the RSL.
2014 marks the 30th anniversary of this very important Service, held each year at the Springvale War Cemetery.
Remembrance Day 2014 will be the 96th year since the signing of the Armistice between Germany and the Allied Powers
on 11th November 1918 bringing to an end the “Great War” that changed Australia forever.
Over 100,000 Australians died in that war and subsequent conflicts defending our freedoms. It’s important to remember
that many Australian servicemen and servicewomen are still abroad, enduring hardship and facing danger in Afghanistan,
Iraq and other places. It is worth noting that the names of many of those who have died of war caused injury or disabilities
have their names commemorated on plaques within the adjacent Garden of Remembrance at the Springvale War
Cemetery.
The Purpose
The purpose of the Service is to mark the RSL’s recognition of Remembrance Day and all it stands for. The Service
attracts people of all ages and has special meaning to those who have lost relatives and loved ones whilst on Active
Service.
Who attends?
Younger people, especially school groups are attracted to the Service, even though it is not held on a school day. This is
significant, because it clearly tells us that our young people are aware of the debt we owe all our war dead and Veterans.
Service Details
The Service will be led by clergy representing the major Christian faiths. The Key Speaker at the Service will be
Lieutenant General B A (Ash) Power, AO, CSC (Retired) the past Chief of Joint Operations, Headquarters Joint Operations
Command.
A short march of ex-service personnel will precede the Service, supported by the Box Hill City Band. Also in attendance
will be re-enactment groups in WW1 uniforms from the Light Horse & Field Artillery Museum and the Australian Great War
Association. The Victoria Male Welsh Choir will also be present to add a special touch during the Service. A flypast of
veteran RAAF aircraft from the RAAF Museum from Point Cook will also be a feature.
Students from Haileybury at Keysborough and St Margaret’s School at Berwick also play an important part in the Service,
placing Australian flags at each gravesite prior to the Service and delivering selected readings.
Wreaths
The Official Wreath will be laid by the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Branch of Returned & Services League,
Brigadier Michael Annett CSC.
It is also customary for tributes to be laid by local parliamentarians, mayors, ex-service
organisations, community groups and citizens.
Around Victoria, RSL Sub-Branches will mark Remembrance Day itself on Tuesday 11 November with simple and solemn
services at community war memorials and schools. In addition, special arrangements will be made in the Melbourne CBD
for the halting of traffic at important intersections with buglers posted to play the Last Post at 11.00 o’clock. The official
observance of one minutes silence on the 11th hour of the 11th month originally came about through the suggestion of
Edward Honey, an Australian journalist working in London, and his idea was taken up by King George V in 1919. The
Governor His Excellency the Hon Alex Chernov AC QC will lead the Official Commemoration Service, commencing at the
Shrine of Remembrance at 10.30am. After the Service, the new Galleries of Remembrance at the Shrine will be officially
opened to the public.
Enquiries:
Mal Carson
Convenor, State RSL Remembrance Service Sub-Committee
Annual RSL Remembrance Service - Springvale
Ph: 0419 133 304
Mike Annett CSC
Chief Executive Officer,
Victorian Branch of Returned & Services League of Australia
Ph: 03 9655 5555
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