A large crowd of about 300 people gathered at Cobram war memorial on Monday to remember those who served and are still serving in the defense of our nation.
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The gathering included kindergarten children, a war widow just under 100, and all in between.
The day was a commemoration of the time and date of the signing of the Armistice at the end of World War I - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – today the people of Cobram and Barooga embraced the day as an opportunity for a wider remembrance of the sacrifices and service in all conflicts.
The soldiers from the Army School of Health travelled from Bonegilla to provide the Catafalque party. Students from the Cobram and District Specialist School, Cobram Primary School, Barooga Public School, Cobram Anglican Grammar School and St Joseph’s Primary School, as well as the Cobram Scouts took part in the service.
Cobram had the services of bugler Noel Stedman, who played the Last Post and Rouse. Mr Stedman has been providing this service for 64 years and this year was accompanied by Noah Fraser.
Another coup for Cobram is the flypast provided by the Murray Border Flying Club – this year comprising five planes flying in formation.
After the service, Brian Hartley, a World War II veteran whose service was with the British Royal Army Medical Corps, took spoke with the soldiers of the catafalque party, who are members of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps.
They were observed comparing the similarities between their badges as Mr Hartley is an honorary member of the RAAMC.
Following the Cobram service, a second, shorter, service was held at the memorial at the entrance to the Barooga Sporties Club, allowing the soldiers from the Army School of Health to mingle with the locals.
As a token of the relationship between Cobram-Barooga RSL Sub-Branch and the Army School of Health, Sergeant Roger Derrick presented to RSL president Rob Brown with a framed copy of the letters of commitment to the relationship.
RSL members then went to Cobram Harness Racing Club’s Remembrance Day meet.
In addition to the Diggers 3YO Pace, the program included the Men from the River Bends Pace (honouring all who have left our district to join the Australian Defence Force), the Charlie Foster Memorial Pace (in memory of a World War II veteran and RSL life member), the Cliff Robinson Memorial Trot (honouring a late member of the RSL, whose birthday was November 11) and the Remembrance Day Tribute, before which the RSL held a stand-to featuring the Last Post and Rouse.
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