A memorial honouring the Armistice Centenary and the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women has been built in Campbelltown’s Mawson Park to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I.
The Armistice Centenary Memorial will be unveiled tomorrow (Friday, November 9) during a Remembrance Day Commemorative Service for Schools called A Day to Remember, which will start from 10am.
A Day to Remember will be held in the lead up to Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 11, which this year will carry additional meaning because it will mark a century since the guns fell silent on the Western Front.
An Armistice Centenary Memorial is also being built in Ingleburn’s Milton Park.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic said the Armistice Centenary Memorials will be a permanent mark of respect and recognition of the sacrifices made by the Australians who served in World War I, as well as the contributions made by their families, friends and other Australians at home during this difficult time.
“We wanted to pay our respects and honour the efforts and bravery of our servicemen and women,’’ he said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It’s because of the sacrifices they made in war that we are able to live in peace and freedom in Australia today.[/social_quote]
“The Armistice Centenary Memorials will also enable our younger and future generations to remember and recognise Australia’s military past and the bravery of those who went to war.
“The memorials will keep our Anzac spirit alive for future generations to come.’’
The memorials are part of the Federal Armistice Centenary Grant Program.
Thanks to these grants, scores of local schools will also be holding ceremonies tomorrow to mark 100 years since the end of the Great War.
St Patrick’s College for Girls, which will also honour the Anzacs of Macarthur, promises to be one of the more memorable ones.
The ceremony was organised by the school’s history club, who have been working since March on the decorations and videos.
There are 100 students in the history club; the school’s total enrolment is about 700 students.
St Patrick’s College will also pay homage to the four World War I memorials in the old Congregational Cemetery next door to the school in St John’s Park Road.
There will also be a commemorative olive tree planting.
Dr Mike Freelander, the federal member for Macarthur, who will be attending the St Patrick’s and Mawson Park commemoration ceremonies, said Australia’s World War I campaign took a brutal toll on our young nation.
“There were more than 60,000 casualties and 165,000 men wounded, gassed or taken prisoner- our story on the Western Front still holds significance in Australia today,’’ he said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“While this day is a significant milestone in our military history, we reflect and remember all of those men and women who have served our country.[/social_quote]
“We remember those who have gone before us, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have returned home and whose lives were never the same – the depth of our gratitude remains unchanged.’’
Dr Freelander also visited local schools recently to present them with their Federal Armistice Centenary Grant Program money, pictured above.
