Bunbury remembers

Hundreds gathered at the Bunbury War Memorial on Friday for a Remembrance Day service to pay tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for our nation.

Diggers, firefighters, police and a number of high school students stood to attention at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, before the nation paused as one during the playing of the Last Post.

Bunbury RSL secretary Tony Sajer was pleasedwith the attendance, and was thankful for the public’s support.

‘‘The turnout from the public was absolutely brilliant,’’ Mr Sajer said.

‘‘Over the last 10-15 years it has started to grow and there was a great awareness among the community, and particularly schools.

‘‘People understand the significance of Remembrance Day more now than when I was a young tacker.’’

The public embraced the symbolic red poppy on their clothing in respect for those who died during war.

Mr Sajer described the end of World War I as ‘‘the end of an era that one would never hope to see again’’.

More than 330,000 Australians left our shores to fight in ‘‘War to end all Wars’’, of those just one in three made it back unscathed.

Before taking over as secretary as the Bunbury RSL, Mr Sajer served 21 years in the Royal Australian Navy from 1963-84.

The Royal Australian Navy is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year since being granted the royal assent by His Majesty King George V.