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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-11-14 Daily Xml
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Remembrance Day

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:41): I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the guns falling silent on the Western Front after four long years of war. On 11 November 1918, the German leaders agreed to sign an armistice, signalling the end of the First World War.

Throughout those four years more than 333,000 Australians served and more than 60,000 lost their life. Up to a third of these fallen soldiers were left without a grave or place of memorial for their loved ones to visit. After World War II, what was once known as Armistice Day became Remembrance Day, to honour those who were killed in both horrific wars. Today, we commemorate the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts.

On Sunday I attended the Remembrance Day service at the Payneham RSL. I was honoured to attend this commemorative ceremony, to lay a wreath on behalf of the Premier, and to pay my respects to the memory of those who were wounded or who paid the ultimate sacrifice in armed conflict. Present at the service were dignitaries including the president of the Payneham RSL sub-branch, Mark Lawson-Kent, and the vice president, Scott Jeffrey.

After the service I attended the clubrooms, very progressive and family-oriented clubrooms, and I congratulate the committee on the good work it is doing with current day veterans, in particular. I was pleased to be joined by the Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Steven Marshall, and the Speaker of the other place, the Hon. Vincent Tarzia.

This year, in an Australia-first commemoration, paper poppies were dropped from the sky over North Terrace. Tens of thousands of poppies were coloured red by local schoolchildren in an act of memorial to those who came before us. More than 850 schools participated in this memorable initiative, inviting our young people to pay their respects as part of this powerful, symbolic effort.

Traditionally we take a minute's silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember. We give thanks for the survivors and honour lives lost. This year most of Adelaide's public transport services stopped and the traffic lights in the city remained red as a sign of respect. On Remembrance Day Australians nationwide take the time to observe this silence. It is a simple yet powerful act of unity and reverence. We pay our respects not only to those who served but to those who lost loved ones because of the war and those who continue to grieve for the fallen.

It is important that we take a moment to stop, commemorate and honour those who fought to protect our freedom, and for us to acknowledge the hardship they experienced, their courage, bravery, sacrifice and loss. War impacts not only soldiers but their families as well, families who lost their loved ones to war and families who have seen their loved ones struggle, upon their return, with the terror and aftermath that war leaves behind.

I take this moment to acknowledge and thank the veterans, the fallen and their families, who have sacrificed so much and who fought so bravely for our beautiful country. I thank them for their determination, dignity and strength. Lest we forget.

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