More than 300 people attended the Remembrance Day service and Peace Concert on Sunday, November 11, making it what Wingham RSL Sub-branch vice president Ron Irwin called “the best ever”.
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““It’s the biggest crowd I’ve seen in Wingham for Remembrance Day,” Ron said.
This year’s service commemorated 100 years of the Centenary of Armistice Day. The service was followed by a concert to celebrate 100 years since peace was declared.
Sub-branch president, Terry Gould was pleased with the unfolding of the day.
“We had everything going for us, it was a very lovely day,” he said.
The service was attended by Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead, with councillor Kathryn Bell representing MidCoast Council.
We had everything going for us, it was a very lovely day.
- Terry Gould
“The tone of the service was the sacrifice of the men and women, particularly in WW1, have given to enable us top have a peaceful concert – it was their legacy for us,” Terry said.
“My idea partly was to show the glue that goes into the fabric of society.”
Wingham Rotary Club provided a sausage sizzle for guests, with the Sub-branch Ladies Auxiliary responsible for tea and biscuits, and the drop of crocheted poppies adorning the outer wall of the Town Hall.
Wingham High School once again provided students as flag bearers.
The Peace Concert, produced by Ron Irwin, was kicked off by the Manning Valley U3A Silver Tones Singers. Five school choirs – all four Wingham schools plus Taree Christian College – performed, with solo acts adding to the mix. Lachlan Ross and Ryan Smoothy recited poems they wrote.
I just think the schools are marvellous. They really, really were fantastic.
- Ron Irwin
“It was a long day but I think that the idea of the passing on of everything from the old to the young worked perfectly in the concert,” Ron said.
“It was a massive service. A massive amount of people who were out the front. Much more than what I thought there would be.
“I just think the schools are marvellous. They really, really were fantastic.
“The cooperation and help of people was marvellous,” Ron said.