On Sunday 8 November, the Knox Remembrance Day Committee, chaired by Hurtle Lupton OAM JP, will conduct a ceremony at the Knox War Memorial in Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully.

The Service will commence at 10.55am and residents and friends are invited to attend. For those wishing to march, the ‘form up’ will be at the rotunda in Francis Crescent, at 10.45am at the very latest.

Participants in the march are encouraged to wear their medals and/or medals of their relatives who have served in the armed forces.

Mr Lupton says that, ‘Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, commemorated the end of the hostilities for World War I, with the signing of the armistice, which occurred on 11 November 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

‘On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute’s silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. After the end of World War II in 1945, the Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day as an appropriate title for a day which would commemorate all war dead.’

Mr Lupton makes the point that the ceremony in Knox was unique in that it is almost entirely conducted by students from local primary and secondary schools.

‘We have school choirs, children participating in the readings and many more who assist in the wreath laying ceremony, flag bearers in the march and the flag raising and lowering ceremony,’ he says. ‘I am so proud to see the involvement of our younger generation who demonstrate such enthusiasm and empathy for this special day.’

Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be served at the Boronia RSL at the conclusion of the event.

Further information from: Hurtle Lupton OAM JP, Chairman, Knox Remembrance Day Committee.
Phone: 9762 3547
Email: hurtle.lupton@optusnet.com.au