Community
9 November, 2024
Diggers will be held high
CAIRNS will unite in solemn reflection this Remembrance Day with two significant events honouring the brave – the morning service and the third ‘Draw to Remember event’ – where young and old will pay respect to our heroes.
On Monday, all members of the community will have the opportunity to honour our fallen heroes and the current service men, women and veterans from Cairns with a Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph at 10.40 am and the Draw to Remember event which will get children to learn more about the event through art.
Over 500 people are expected to attend the annual Remembrance Day for the ceremony, wreath laying and one minute of silence at 11am to honour the sacrifice of our fallen service personnel.
“People should participate in Remembrance Day to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom, peace and the values we cherish,” said Cairns RSL Sub Branch president Nathan Shingles.
“It serves as an opportunity to reflect on the true cost of war, pay tribute to those who served and ensure that the lessons of history are remembered and passed on.”
The sub branch is also bringing back the Draw to Remember event, an initiative that gets younger ones involved, learning about Remembrance Day and the sacrifices of our armed forces through art.
This year 21 schools across the Far North will participate, including St Andrew’s Catholic College and Redlynch State College from 2pm.
“Commander Thorpe from HMAS Cairns and Nathan Shingles will attend Redlynch State College for Draw to Remember,” said sub branch secretary Lucy Cahill.
“RSL provides children with chalk for them to create art that represents what it is to them to remember our fallen soldiers and veterans,” she said.
“A lot of them do lovely art with the poppies, the fallen soldier and any symbol that helps them remember and put it into art. A lot of the Redlynch College students’ parents are serving members so it’s a great time for them to represent how they feel.
“Mr Shingles and Commander Thorpe will also present the students with a certificate and modern soldier statue to thank the children for taking part in the initiative.”
Ms Cahill said it was crucial to share Remembrance Day with the children in the community.
“It’s important so that the sacrifice and service of our troops is never forgotten and the future generations all continue to remember what’s happened and what our service men and women have sacrificed for our freedom,” she said.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3UDU55V
Other services across the Far North:
Mossman: Assemble at 64-66 Front St from 10.30am
Gordonvale: Cenotaph, Norman Park from 10.30am
Ravenshoe: Ravenshoe Memorial Park from 10.40am
Mareeba: Cenotaph, 126 Byrnes Street from 10.45am
Innisfail: Jack Fossey Park Cenotaph from 10.45am
Herberton: Herberton War Memorial Cenotaph from 10.45am
Mt Molloy: Mt Molloy Memorial Hall from 10.45am
Kuranda: Centenary Park from 10.45am
Cardwell: Cenotaph 132 Victoria from 10.50am.
