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Remembrance Day 2020: Perth comes together to commemorate fallen men and women

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Caitlyn RintoulThe West Australian
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Three-year-old Zeynep Ravza admiring the poppies surrounding the flame after the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the State War Memorial.
Camera IconThree-year-old Zeynep Ravza admiring the poppies surrounding the flame after the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the State War Memorial. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

In a year when COVID-19 reduced Anzac Day to drive-way services, hundreds of West Australian’s were able to gather at Kings Park for a Remembrance Day ceremony like no other.

Perth paused to honour our fallen troops at 11am, on a day that marked the silencing of the guns on the Western Front in 1918 after four years of World War I.

WA Governor Kim Beazley was the first to lay a wreath at the ceremony after giving the official Remembrance Day address, followed by Premier Mark McGowan and Returned and Services League WA president Peter Aspinall.

Mr Aspinall read The Ode before The Last Post rang out across the city and the official fly over passed over the Western Australian Botanic Garden.

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This year, there were special performances of The Last Post at major CBD intersections to synchronise with the rendition at Kings Park just before the minute’s silence.

While WA's official Remembrance Day was a publicly attended event, physical distancing was in place, with many veterans and special guests provided additional space at the front of the crowd, separated from onlookers.

State War Memorial sub-warden Philip Skelton AM, who spent 28 years in the army, said he was pleased with WA’s response to the pandemic and that it meant people could come together for the 2020 commemoration.

“It was a very moving ceremony and a very important one to keep having,” he said.

WA Premier Mark McGowan at Perth’s major Remembrance Day ceremony at the State War Memorial.
Camera IconWA Premier Mark McGowan at Perth’s major Remembrance Day ceremony at the State War Memorial. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

“I did think the drive-way services were very good, however, because young children were able to participate more closely with it more than just waving a flag in the march afterwards down the street.”

“It’s just very important that we continue to remember the sacrifice that was made by a load of people, not just those in the military that were killed or injured but also the people that were left behind here who had to manage without them.

“We need young people to keep remembering. We also need them to learn that all wars are bad. Nobody actually wins at war.”

Mr McGowan tweeted of the significance of the occasion earlier today, reflecting on the “senseless and destructive conflicts” Australia had been through.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns fell finally fell silent on one of the most senseless and destructive conflicts of human history,” he said.

“Today, we fall silent ourselves to remember those who did not come home from war. Lest we forget.”

While crowds sprawled across the lawn in front of the State War Memorial, many services nation-wide were scaled back due to coronavirus restrictions.

Remembrance Day Ceremony at the State War Memorial in Kings Park.
Camera IconRemembrance Day Ceremony at the State War Memorial in Kings Park. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

Commemorations that are usually attended by thousands each year, were reduced to less than a hundred.

The national service at the Australian War Memorial was an intimate affair with the public locked out but able to watch proceedings through a live stream.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Governor-General David Hurley were among those to lay a wreath at the national commemoration.

New Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas was among those who laid a wreath at the State War Memorial on Remembrance Day 2020.
Camera IconNew Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas was among those who laid a wreath at the State War Memorial on Remembrance Day 2020. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

Forced to cut back on costs and unable to undertake usual operations this year, the RSL encouraged Australians to buy virtual poppies.

In Sydney, sails on the Opera House were lit up with an illustration of poppies overnight.

The commemorative service fell on NAIDOC week, however, there was no Welcome to Country to begin the official ceremony.

It comes after RSLWA chief executive officer John McCourt told The West Live on Tuesday that he would consider constructing a new Aboriginal tribute near the State War Memorial to recognise Indigenous Australians who served in the armed forces.

Churchlands Senior High School students Nicola Archibald, 14, and Chelita Fontana, 13, laying a wreath.
Camera IconChurchlands Senior High School students Nicola Archibald, 14, and Chelita Fontana, 13, laying a wreath. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

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