ON the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which brought an end to World War One, Bathurst joined the nation in remembering those who have and continue to serve in conflict.
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With Remembrance Day falling on a weekend, a large crowd was able to gather around the Carillon to be part of the commemoration ceremony.
The Carillon was draped in knitted poppies, while the garden beds were marked with crosses that named the conflicts Australians have fought in.
Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president, David Mills, led Bathurst’s commemoration service, speaking passionately about the significance of Remembrance Day.
“Our war dead are scattered across far-flung lands, they lie in over 100 cemeteries or are scattered across as many memorials,” he said.
“Their names, more than 102,000, are on the roll of honour that lines the cloisters of the Australian War Memorial; names from conflicts that spread over 100 years, names from conflicts that are remembered on crosses around the gardens in the park.
“Unfortunately the list grows, as our servicemen and women step up and serve our country in current peacekeeping operations.”
READ MORE: A century on, Australians remember the war
Every name of a known service person represents a family member that was lost too early, who never got the chance to live with the freedom all Australians now enjoy because of their efforts.
“Their loss is a reminder that there is nothing glorious about war,” Mr Mills said.
“Those called upon to fight know that better than anyone, but they also know that when all else fails, it is necessary to fight against the tyrannies that threaten liberty.”
Mayor Graeme Hanger and member for Bathurst Paul Toole also spoke at the service.
Mr Toole reminded those who had gathered for the service that it was their responsibility to be thankful for what each veteran left behind for their country.
“We have been given a gift to live free in this great country,” he said.
“We have been afforded the rights to be educated, have access to world class health services, have our say in the election of governments, to own property and to raise our families, free from war.
“And it is with these freedoms in mind that we must forge forward to continually work toward building a better, safer Australia.”
Bathurst’s formal Remembrance Day service was one of the final elements of what was two days of commemoration, organised by the Sub Branch.
