By Ethan Benedicto
Remembrance Day was commemorated with the whole heart and spirit of Berwick, as over a hundred people attended the service at the Cenotaph on Monday 11 November.
With a sizeable crowd gathered at 10:40am, the service, which began at 11am, sang the praises and honours of those who had fallen in battle.
From the World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and all other conflicts, members of the local community banded together to memorialise them, with representatives from Berwick RSL, local MP Brad Battin, Bruce MP Julian Hill and veterans who paid tribute to the fallen.
Hill said that being present, not just for him but for those in the local community, sends a powerful message, that “it’s a wonderful thing that people still turn out in small community-driven ceremonies to honour those who served”.
“The Berwick service that we’ve just attended was small and personal, just like thousands of others that happened across the country.
“It’s a good thing that we honour our heritage and all those who have served our country in uniform,” he said.
For Battin, that feeling of closeness is emphasised with the people, their connections with one another, and “it’s local”.
“You’ve got people who come down and put the wreath up for their families. This is about getting the community together so we can commemorate.
“These people bring everyone together and a lot of these diggers out here, this is their time to catch up, socialise and talk about those old days.
“And also never forgetting, if we forget the past, we’re going to have more problems in the future, this is to make sure we don’t,” he said.
Berwick RSL president Pam Phillips was also in attendance, alongside secretary Chris McKenna who curated the ceremony from start to finish.
Bill Peeler also placed a wreath in honour of Walter Peeler, who was decorated with a Victoria Cross following gus actions during the Battle of Broodseinde in October 1917 during the First World War.
While short, the event remained solemn, allowing for an atmosphere of remembrance and honour.
