Echuca pauses to reflect on Remembrance Day

By Tahlia McMaster

Nov 11, 2022

Paying their respects: Echuca RSL sub-branch's Stephen Harris, Maggie Stewart, Denis Shanahan, Fred Clark and Ron Wood on Remembrance Day. Photo by Gregor Mactaggart

Poppies were worn on the chests of many people as they reflected on the service of thousands of men and women who helped to shape the country we live in today.

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A crowd of about 200 people converged at the Echuca cenotaph on Friday morning for this year’s Remembrance Day service.

Silence permeated through the Civic Gardens following a rendition of The Last Post as the Australian flag was raised to full mast.

“It’s great to see a few turn up after the floods,” Echuca RSL sub-branch president Denis Shanahan said.

Minute’s silence: Remembrance Day in Echuca. Photo by Gregor Mactaggart

Mr Shanahan led the ceremony, with words of acknowledgement on those who served their country.

“We reflect on the price Australia paid, not just in World War I, but the wars which followed,” he said.

Host: Echuca RSL sub-branch president Denis Shanahan. Photo by Gregor Mactaggart

“It has helped us remember them with pride and gratitude.”

Among the crowd were students from 208 Echuca Primary School and St Mary’s, members of the emergency services (including SES, police and fire brigade) and the Echuca RSL sub-branch.

Tribute: Members of the public lay a wreath at the Echuca cenotaph on Remembrance Day. Photo by Gregor Mactaggart

Several people laid wreaths at the cenotaph as part of Friday’s commemorations.

Reflection: Echuca RSL sub-branch secretary Maggie Stewart. Photo by Gregor Mactaggart

Mr Shanahan was among the many in the crowd to don medals of service.

We remember them: The public pays its respects on Remembrance Day.

One of his medals signified five years of long service, with each band atop the medal representing an additional five years.

Attendance: The public pays its respects on Remembrance Day.

Mr Shanahan’s medal illustrated his 35 years of service as a member of the Royal Australian Navy.

Pausing to reflect: The public pays its respects on Remembrance Day in Echuca.

The cenotaph precinct is set to undergo some slight changes in the coming months with the Echuca RSL sub-branch (in partnership with Campaspe Shire Council) set to construct a wall in place of the current memorial rocks.