Honouring veterans on Remembrance Day

The state government is reminding Victorians, including those in Whittlesea and Hume, they have the chance to honour and remember Australia’s veterans on Remembrance Day – Friday, November 11.

Veterans, war widows and current defence members will be able to travel for free on public transport to these services, including on V-Line to the annual Remembrance Day Service held at the Shine of Remembrance on November 11 from 10.30am.

The government said everyone can observe a minute’s silence wherever they are at 11am on the day. The state service will be livestreamed via the Shrine’s web page, Facebook and YouTube channels. Returned and Services League Sub-Branches will also host local services across Victoria.

“[It is a] tradition that marks the moment on November 11, 1918, when the guns fell silent on the Western Front at the end of the First World War, the first moment of peace in four years,” the government said.

The government said those wanting to claim free travel simply need to be wearing a uniform or service medals, or show a return from active service or war widows barge, or present their Department of Veterans’ Affairs gold or white card, or category V Victorian public transport concession card.

School students, Scouts, Guides, Australian Defence Force cadets and band members in uniform will also be able to travel on public transport for free.

“RSL Victoria is also stationing more than a dozen buglers throughout Melbourne’s CBD on Remembrance Day to sound the Last Post and Rouse at 11am,” the government said.

“Leading up to Remembrance Day, the Shrine of Remembrance is also offering 11 Days of Remembrance, which includes a Lest We Forget light installation and Red to Remember, which will see the Shrine and other Melbourne landmarks light up red in the 10 days leading up to Remembrance Day.”

Details: shrine.org.au/remembrance-day-2022.

To show support for the veteran community, Victorians can purchase and wear a poppy through RSL’s Poppy Appeal in the lead up to Remembrance Day.

Details: poppyappeal.com.au.