REMEMBRANCE DAY: Junee to pause to honour Australia’s fallen

JUNEE will unite in solemn reflection on Tuesday as the community gathers for Remembrance Day, honouring those who served and those who never returned from war, conflict and peacekeeping operations.

The annual commemorative service — hosted by the Junee RSL Sub-Branch — will take place at the Broadway Cenotaph, with attendees asked to arrive by 10.40am ahead of the service commencement at 10.50am.

At 11.00am, the town will join millions of Australians in observing a minute’s silence, marking the exact moment in 1918 when the guns on the Western Front fell silent and World War I ended.

“At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month.”

The service is expected to conclude by 11.30am, after which attendees are invited to the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club for fellowship and reflection.

Veterans, Distinguished Guests and their families will be offered light refreshments in the Aurora Room, while members of the public are welcome for lunch at their own cost, with meals available from the bistro and café.

Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs or picnic blankets for seating on the memorial lawn.

Wearing Family Medals — What You Need to Know

Many community members choose to honour loved ones by wearing their medals on Remembrance Day. RSL Australia has clear protocols to ensure that this is done with respect.

Family medals are worn on the right-hand side of the chest — opposite side to serving personnel — signifying that the wearer is not the original recipient.

Source: RSL Australia

Source: RSL Australia

Medals should also be worn as a single rack, maintaining the dignity of the service member being honoured.

Neck decorations, unit citations and association badges may only be worn by the person to whom they were awarded.

The Defence Act 1903 (Sections 80A & 80B) makes it an offence to impersonate a member of the ADF or to wear medals or decorations that were not conferred on you. Wearing family medals on the right complies with protocol and protects the integrity of military honours.

For a full guide to wearing medals on commemorative occasions, visit RSL Australia’s website here.

Laying a Wreath or Floral Tribute

Community members, organisations and families wishing to lay a wreath, rosemary sprig or floral tribute are warmly welcomed to do so.

Guidelines for respectful wreath laying:

• Approach the Cenotaph from any direction, holding the wreath in your left hand (or both hands if larger).
• Pause beneath the clock tower, place your wreath at the base of the Cenotaph or atop the stone.
• Stand, take one pace back, bow your head, pause briefly, and then walk away.

Why We Remember

Remembrance Day marks the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918, the moment the guns fell silent and the First World War finally came to an end.

More than 60,000 Australians lost their lives — young men and women who left towns just like Junee and never returned.

Those who did were forever changed.

Roll of Honour adorned with poppies at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra | Source: Public Domain

Why Red Poppies

The red poppy has become the enduring symbol of remembrance.

On the Western Front, poppies were the first flowers to bloom in the churned and scarred soil of the battlefields.

Their deep red petals — vivid against the shattered landscape — came to represent not only the bloodshed and sacrifice, but also hope, renewal and peace.

A field of poppies | Source: Public Domain

Across Australia, we wear poppies to honour those who served, those who fell, and those who returned carrying wounds that could not be seen.

“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning — we will remember them.”

Lest we forget.