Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, Rochester RSL Sub-Branch past president John Glover RSD and current president Captain Cameron Lovering in front of the Rochester Cenotaph. Photos: Emily Donohoe
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Well-attended by the community, Rochester RSL Sub-Branch held its Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday, November 11.
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A strong crowd, including Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, Rochester 1st Scouts Group, primary school students, Victoria Police, VICSES and REDHS, commemorated the day outside the Rochester RSL Sub-Branch Memorial Hall.
Many members of communities turned out to the cenotaph to pay their respects.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Past RSL president John Glover was master of ceremonies, while current president and Rochester Salvation Army Captain Cameron Lovering delivered the bidding and vice-president John Roberts recited the Ode of Remembrance and In Flanders Fields.
Salvation Army Captain Maryanne Lovering sang O Valiant Hearts, Who To Your Glory Came, Rochester Christian Fellowship Pastor Anne Strate said a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession, and Anglican Parish of Rochester and Lockington Rev Samuel Kelly delivered the Lord’s Prayer.
The Rochester 1st Scouts Group played a strong role in the ceremony, including by raising the flags from half-mast.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Mr Birrell addressed the audience, reflecting on the contributions of our veterans and the example of community spirit shown by the people of Rochester over the past two years.
He also drew on the design of Parliament House in Canberra, which provides the Prime Minister with a clear view on to the War Memorial, so that Australia’s wartime past always influences its future direction.
“The monument commemorates all of those who lost their lives for the ideal of this country,” he said.
“Those who have (should) be front of mind when making any decisions for this country.
“Those people were there to defend our way of life, to serve our value of democracy ... and the sense that everyone in Australia is equal.”
Cameron Lovering, John Glover and Sam Birrell with copies of Giving in Remembrance.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Mr Birrell introduced John Glover’s book, Giving In Remembrance, written about the 350 veterans honoured in the Rochester Cemetery.
Mr Glover spent 10 years researching his book, which captures the lives of local veterans stretching from the Boer War to recent campaigns.
He spoke about the significance of their stories and thanked the people who helped him put the history into print, including Wyn Hodgens from the Rochester Cemetery Trust.
“I am thrilled to have been able to write this book about our friends and family members,” he said.
“They have served Australia. They deserve acknowledgement.
“Their memories are embedded in our hearts; their eternal care has been entrusted to us in Rochester.”
A wide array of groups laid wreaths, sat in front of the Rochester Cenotaph and surrounded by knitted and quilted poppies.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Wreaths were laid by a range of local organisations and groups, including the Rochester RSL, Federal Government, VICSES, Victoria Police, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Probus Club, Shine Bright Rochester Kindergarten, the Australia Day Committee, Ballendella Red Cross, Rochester Historical and Pioneer Society, Christian Fellowship, Rotary Club of Rochester, REDHS, Rochester 1st Scouts Group, the Motoring Club and private families.
Scholarships were presented by Mr Glover to the Rochester 1st Scouts Group, with the Walkley Scholarship providing one to two veteran dependents and the Glover Scholarship one to two community members with an opportunity to join the Scouts.
Guests were then invited to the vice-president’s luncheon, hosted by the Rochester RSL at Rochester Bowls Club.
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