REMEMBRANCE Day, 106 years on from the signing of the Armistice at the end of World War 1, still has the power to stir the emotions and even a tear or two as we witnessed at the Wonthaggi Cenotaph on Monday this week when Bass Coast Secondary College student Chloe Lawson delivered an inspiring address.

It was just before the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a warming sun was in the sky, a gentle breeze caused the flags at half-mast to flutter and a big crowd was in attendance, including service personnel, kids from the local schools, and members of the general community.

They all leaned forward as the former school captain commanded the microphone.

“I stand at this place of beauty and heartache, as my mother and her mother and her mother’s mother did before me, in appreciation, and glare at the names forever etched on the bronze plaques. Two of these names tell a major part of my mother’s own family history. The tales of two courageous men that left, never to return home, in service of our great country Australia. My mother has always reflected on the pain of the women that waited at home. Home where the families of these courageous men stayed and waited” …tragically in vain.

Chloe also remembered another equally important group of people.

“The names not listed but will forever remain ANZAC hearts, the women in Wonthaggi’s tent town hospital during the war, who would help keep everyone well while they waited for the loves they had missing. One of these women being my very own great, great, grandmother, Gladys Taylor. She told tales of the love that she had and lost and instilled such a strong sense of gratitude and service. Her diary included a verse about her late husband, my great, great, grandfather Vernon Charles Green, that reads:

“Should he not return, my heart and the hearts of my two darling children will remain forever broken”.

Her well-researched speech painted an intoxicating picture of life in the fledgling town of Wonthaggi, between 1914 and 1918, where the choice between long, hard hours in a dirty coal mine and service in catastrophic conditions on the Western Front was one that many brave souls were prepared to make.

History tells us, that men with coal mining experience were considered too valuable for cannon fodder. Instead, their skills were used to gain an advantage in trench warfare, including laying charges under the otherwise immovable positions of the enemy.

President of the Wonthaggi RSL Dan Lucas laid the main wreath, in memory and gratitude for the service of local people, retired major Kevin Walsh RFD laid a wreath on behalf of the State Government and local MP Jordan Crugnale, students of the Wonthaggi Primary School and Bass Coast Secondary College also laid wreaths, together with dozens of others and Warrant Officer 1st Class Mark Allan of the HMAS Dental Corp gave the official address.

The playing of the Last Post and a minutes’ silence rounded out a memorable service.