Tomorrow, the New England will stand in silent reflection and remembrance of the sacrifice of our fallen men and women who gave their lives in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations this Remembrance Day.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said for more than a century Australians have paused at 11am on 11 November to acknowledge our fallen service men and women.

“Remembrance Day is one of the most important days of our year in the New England as it represents a time when we can stand together with our service personnel and veterans and remember those who have lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping,”  Mr Joyce said.

“Originally known as Armistice Day, this day was in commemoration of the moment the guns of the Western Front fell silent on 11 November 1918 at 11 am.

“Just over 20 years later, Australia joined the Second World War, during which more than 39,000 Australians gave their lives. It was after the wars ended that 11 November became known as Remembrance Day.”

Tragically, over a century of service in wars, conflicts or peacekeeping operations, more than 102,000 Australian men and women have now made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

Mr Joyce said on Remembrance Day we remember all our fallen service personnel and the sacrifices they have made, including the many locals who have served.

“It is incredibly important to continue the tradition of pausing in remembrance and respect of our fallen defence personnel, now and into the future,” he said.

“It has been an honour to carry out this service in recent months with the presentation of commemorative medallions to veterans in the New England in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

“Given the current parliamentary week, I will be paying my respects in Canberra for this year’s Remembrance Day and I encourage local people to partake in services around the electorate and wear a red poppy in remembrance of our fallen.”

Along with the red poppy, the veteran community are encouraged to wear their Veteran Lapel Pin or Reservist Lapel Pin, provided as part of the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant, as a way to readily identify service to our nation through the defence force.

Australians are encouraged to share their personal commemorations on social media by using the #RemembranceDay. For more information about Remembrance Day, visit the Anzac Portal.

(ENDS)