Remembrance Day commemorations and how you can you get involved

Remembrance Day is one of the most important days on our commemorative calendar. It’s a day when we acknowledge those who died while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Remembrance Day is held on 11 November each year.

Blaire, our Client Relations Manager for Military Services, acknowledges the importance of Remembrance Day and encourages everyone to find a way to remember and honour our veterans.

“It is important we honour our veterans today and every day for the sacrifice they gave and still give for us to live our way of life in Australia, we will remember them.”

There are many ways that we can honour our veteran community this Remembrance Day, including attending a service at an RSL sub-branch, showing support by wearing a red poppy or taking a moment to reflect by yourself or with family at home.

Looking to attend a service?

State and territory commemorative services are usually held in each capital city. Many communities, councils and schools across Australia host local events too.

RSL Australia has an interactive online map to help you work out where in your state is holding commemorative services: https://www.remembertoremember.com.au/remembrance-day-2022-how-you-can-take-part#attend

The National Ceremony will also be broadcast live from the Australian War Memorial on ABC TV.

Looking to organise a service?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has also developed an online Remembrance Day kitbag and resource pack to assist with commemorations. The Remembrance Day kitbag includes information on how to hold a commemorative service, including appropriate music, a speech for use at a service, a short history of Remembrance Day, and a suggested order of service for private/small groups.

Kit bag: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-news-veterans/remembrance-day-kitbag-2022

Resource pack: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/research-education/schools/remembrance-day-resource-pack

Cant attend but want to get involved?

 For those who can’t attend, there are still ways to get involved. The Department of Veteran Affairs suggests that for those wishing to commemorate our fallen, you can:

• think about who you’ll remember
• show your support by wearing a red poppy
• watch the Australian War Memorial’s live-streamed National Commemorative Service make a personal commemoration.

We also understand that this can be a difficult time for Veterans and their loved ones, so if you feel you need support, please reach out to any of the resources below:

• Triple zero (000) if you feel like you may hurt yourself or someone else
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046
• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036
• Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14