Adjournment Debate

Remembrance Day

Mr BOYER (Wright) (15:54): I rise just briefly to contribute to this adjournment debate by acknowledging that tomorrow is, of course, Remembrance Day—a very solemn and important day on our calendar.

Mr Speaker, 102 years ago, at 11am on the 11^th day of the 11^th month, the guns fell silent on the Western Front after more than four years of continuous bloodshed. World War I came to an end after the signing of an armistice and, from that day forward, what is now known as Remembrance Day was referred to as Armistice Day. Following the horrors of World War II, 11 November became the day to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country and has, from that day on, been known as Remembrance Day.

In 1997, Governor-General Sir William Deane issued a proclamation formally declaring 11 November Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute's silence at 11am on 11 November each year to remember those who fought and died for our nation in all conflicts. Remembrance Day can sometimes be overshadowed by ANZAC Day, but is an important day in its own right. I am glad that parliament will, in a small way, acknowledge its significance by delaying our start tomorrow to allow members of this place to attend services and pay their respects on behalf of their constituents.

COVID changed the way we commemorated ANZAC Day this year, and Remembrance Day will be different, too, but no less significant. I encourage all South Australians to pause at 11am tomorrow, wherever they may be, and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.