Once again, Remembrance Day was celebrated in Daylesford at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 2026 at our memorial at the north end of Vincent Street.
This was the 108th time Remembrance Day has been celebrated. Over time, rituals and practices have been added and removed from our commemorations. This was the case in this week’s event.
- The haunting notes of The Last Post rang out.
- One minute’s silence was held, followed by Reveille.
- Flags were raised and lowered.
- Some 200 people attended. Many veterans were among them with (and without) their medals – although their numbers are noticeably dwindling.
- Many children were among the crowd.
Zoe and Amelia laid their wreath
- We self-consciously sang the National Anthem, led by a College student.
- The traffic is no longer diverted, making very distracting noise.
- The “They shall grow not old” Ode was recited.
- A recently-retired young ex-Army Officer gave a very original, moving address, paying particular attention to the preponderance of Vietnam veterans in the crowd.
- Numerous wreaths were laid by various community organisations.
- The P.A. system didn’t work – again!
- Sprigs of rosemary were made available.
- The RSL president recited a poem.
Those Daylesford citizens who attended the first Remembrance Day would have recognised much of what we did this year. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Lest we forget!
