Remembrance Day 2023
Master of Ceremonies: Alan Morris - Creswick-Smeaton RSL President.
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Girls and Boys
Good Morning
'I begin today by acknowledging the Dja Dja Wurrung Community, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
Today, we gather to remember those who have given their lives in the service of our country.
Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion for us to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many brave men and women who fought for our freedom and democracy.
We pay tribute to their courage, their devotion to duty, and their unwavering commitment to protecting our nation. We also remember the families and loved ones who have been left behind, who bear the grief and loss of their loved ones.
As we stand here today, we remember all those who have fought in wars past and present, and we recognize the sacrifices that they have made. We remember those who were injured or disabled because of their service, and the families who supported them at home.
We must also remember the lessons that we have learned from the past conflicts that we have faced. We must ensure that we continue to work for peace and to prevent future wars. We must strive for a world where peace and justice prevail, where there is tolerance and understanding, and where people of all nations and races can live in peace and harmony.
On Remembrance Day, we also acknowledge the tremendous work of our current and former members of the Armed Forces, who continue to serve our country with distinction. They are the guardians of our nation's security, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
So today, let us remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and let us rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of peace and understanding.
Let us honour their memory by striving to make the world a better place, one that they would be proud to have fought and died for.
Sadly there are some in this world who do not subscribe to this.
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Girls and Boys
Good Morning
'I begin today by acknowledging the Dja Dja Wurrung Community, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
Today, we gather to remember those who have given their lives in the service of our country.
Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion for us to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many brave men and women who fought for our freedom and democracy.
We pay tribute to their courage, their devotion to duty, and their unwavering commitment to protecting our nation. We also remember the families and loved ones who have been left behind, who bear the grief and loss of their loved ones.
As we stand here today, we remember all those who have fought in wars past and present, and we recognize the sacrifices that they have made. We remember those who were injured or disabled because of their service, and the families who supported them at home.
We must also remember the lessons that we have learned from the past conflicts that we have faced. We must ensure that we continue to work for peace and to prevent future wars. We must strive for a world where peace and justice prevail, where there is tolerance and understanding, and where people of all nations and races can live in peace and harmony.
On Remembrance Day, we also acknowledge the tremendous work of our current and former members of the Armed Forces, who continue to serve our country with distinction. They are the guardians of our nation's security, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
So today, let us remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and let us rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of peace and understanding.
Let us honour their memory by striving to make the world a better place, one that they would be proud to have fought and died for.
Sadly there are some in this world who do not subscribe to this.
We will now pay tribute to local WW1 soldier - Private Frank Arnold LAMBERT S/No 1271
Frank was one of four brothers who signed up to serve during WW1. Only one brother survived.
Frank was born in Creswick, age 18 years when he enlisted.
His father was William Henry Lambert of Victoria Street, Creswick.
Frank enlisted at Creswick on 19th November 1914 when he was 18 years old, after receiving his father’s written consent. He had previous experience in Citizens Forces 71st Regiment.
He was appointed to 2nd Reinforcements; 8th Battalion on 5th January 1915.
They moved to Broadmeadows on 25th January.
The Battalion embarked on HMAT A46 “Clan McGillivray” at Melbourne on 2nd February 1915 bound for Port Suez.
His records do not detail much of where he went apart from fighting at Gallipoli where he was wounded in the spine and died of these wounds & pneumonia while in hospital at Alexandria, on 17th May 1915.
He is buried at Chatby Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.
His father received Memorial Plaque & Scroll in 1922.
MEDALS RECEIVED – 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Frank was one of four brothers who signed up to serve during WW1. Only one brother survived.
Frank was born in Creswick, age 18 years when he enlisted.
His father was William Henry Lambert of Victoria Street, Creswick.
Frank enlisted at Creswick on 19th November 1914 when he was 18 years old, after receiving his father’s written consent. He had previous experience in Citizens Forces 71st Regiment.
He was appointed to 2nd Reinforcements; 8th Battalion on 5th January 1915.
They moved to Broadmeadows on 25th January.
The Battalion embarked on HMAT A46 “Clan McGillivray” at Melbourne on 2nd February 1915 bound for Port Suez.
His records do not detail much of where he went apart from fighting at Gallipoli where he was wounded in the spine and died of these wounds & pneumonia while in hospital at Alexandria, on 17th May 1915.
He is buried at Chatby Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.
His father received Memorial Plaque & Scroll in 1922.
MEDALS RECEIVED – 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Caelli Greenbank wrote and read a poem for the ANZAC Centenary Commemorations in 2015, about Frank Lambert through the eyes of his mother Elizabeth.
We now have students from St Augustine's Primary School to recite this poem
We now have students from St Augustine's Primary School to recite this poem
|
"Elizabeth"
The train blew its whistle pulling into the station Puffing steam through the morning chill, Signalling the start of tearful goodbyes With the sound of the engine’s warning shrill. Her eyes rested on lively Frank, A young lad, 18 summers old, His grey eyes lit with youthful vim At the thought of adventures yet to unfold. This was her second such painful farewell, Her fourth son off to follow his brother, And the pack and uniform in the hallway at home Portended that she would soon lose another. Her boys were not the first to go And she feared that they’d not be the last; While England issued her call to war The boys of Australia grew up too fast. One by one they emerged in khaki From a quiet office in Albert St, With hopes and dreams of seeing the world And a bayonet in the pack at their feet. |
The whistle blew, and mothers hugged sons While husbands bade their wives adieu, And Elizabeth kissed her son goodbye And prayed that God would see him through. She wished she could know that he’d be safe, But the war, like his life, was just begun; Her son was known by a number now: 1st AIF, Private 1271. She knew not even what he might face For reports from abroad were quite concerning – The papers wrote that all went well, Yet the boys of England were not returning. She watched him wave as the train pulled out And as the whistle faded away, She couldn’t help but wonder if She’d see ‘F. Lambert’ on a wall someday. |
|
|
Students from St. Augustine's PS reading the poem "Elizabeth"
Wreath Laying
Hon Catherine King MP (Federal Member for Ballarat)
Ms Martha Haylett MP (State Member for Ripon)
Councillor Don Henderson for Hepburn Shire
Creswick-Smeaton RSL
Legacy
Patriot Military Motorcycle Club
CFA
Red Cross
Creswick Lions Club
Creswick Senior Citizens
Creswick Historical Society
Creswick Garden club
Friends of Park Lake
Anglican parish
Mr Steve Sellars (Creswick IGA)
St Augustine's Primary School
Taylon, Levi, Xavier Morris-Flynn
Hon Catherine King MP (Federal Member for Ballarat)
Ms Martha Haylett MP (State Member for Ripon)
Councillor Don Henderson for Hepburn Shire
Creswick-Smeaton RSL
Legacy
Patriot Military Motorcycle Club
CFA
Red Cross
Creswick Lions Club
Creswick Senior Citizens
Creswick Historical Society
Creswick Garden club
Friends of Park Lake
Anglican parish
Mr Steve Sellars (Creswick IGA)
St Augustine's Primary School
Taylon, Levi, Xavier Morris-Flynn
Phots: Terry Hope Productions and Phil Greenbank
Noah Vallance, Creswick Brass Band played the Last Post and Rouse
The Ode
Last Post
Lest we Forget
Rouse
National Anthem
|
Members of the Patriot Military Motorcycle Club
Photos: Terry Hope Productions
|
FLANDERS POPPIES
Last years poppies did not come up until early December due to the amount of rain that the town received. This years poppies are well on their way to being magnificent for Remembrance Day.
Our thanks go to the Hepburn Shire Gardeners who plant the poppies each year.
Last years poppies did not come up until early December due to the amount of rain that the town received. This years poppies are well on their way to being magnificent for Remembrance Day.
Our thanks go to the Hepburn Shire Gardeners who plant the poppies each year.
|
|