As the autumn leaves turn in the Tim Neville Arboretum, Knox prepares to mark a solemn milestone – the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I.
This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony, set for Sunday 10 November, carries special significance as it showcases the next generation’s commitment to preserving the memory of those who served.
Unlike traditional ceremonies across Australia, Knox’s commemoration stands apart through its unique approach: local primary and secondary school students take center stage in conducting nearly all aspects of the service. From delivering readings to laying wreaths and managing the flag ceremonies, these young citizens demonstrate that remembrance transcends generations.
“The involvement of our youth ensures that the sacrifice of those who served will never be forgotten,” said Boronia RSL President Rod Canobie.
“Seeing students participate with such reverence and understanding gives us hope that the importance of Remembrance Day will continue to resonate with future generations.”
The ceremony will commence at 10.55 am at the Knox War Memorial, preceded by a march beginning at the Francis Street rotunda in Ferntree Gully. Veterans and family members are encouraged to wear their service medals or those of their relatives who served, creating a visible link between past and present.
Originally known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day marks the historic moment when silence fell across the battlefields of World War I. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns finally fell silent after four years of devastating conflict. The war’s scale was unprecedented – mobilizing over 70 million people worldwide and claiming between 9 and 13 million lives, many of whom still lie in unmarked graves.
The tradition of observing one minute’s silence began on the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919, a practice that continues to hold deep meaning today. Following World War II, the observance was renamed Remembrance Day to honor all those who have served, fallen, or been affected by military service across all conflicts.
A school choir will provide musical accompaniment to the ceremony, their young voices carrying the weight of history through traditional songs of remembrance. The symbolic raising and lowering of flags, performed by students under careful guidance, serves as a powerful reminder of the protocol and respect that underpin military tradition.
Community participation remains a crucial element of the ceremony, with organizers inviting all residents to join in this act of remembrance. Provisions will be made for attendees to lay poppies at the memorial, continuing the tradition of the red flower that bloomed across the battlefields of France and Belgium.
As we gather to remember the cost of war and the price of peace, Knox’s ceremony demonstrates that remembrance is not just about looking back – it’s about ensuring future generations understand and appreciate the sacrifices that have shaped our nation. The participation of our local students ensures that the promise ‘We will remember them ‘continues to echo through time, carried forward by young voices who understand its profound importance.
Residents wishing to participate in the march should arrive at the rotunda no later than 10.45 am. All community members are welcome to attend this moving tribute to service and sacrifice.
