Region gathers to remember

People turned out across the South West for Remembrance Day services on Wednesday, for the first organised public commemoration of armed services since the COVID-19 outbreak.

About 100 people turned out to the service in Manjimup, where RSL president Rex Brown led the community through the guest speakers.

Speakers at the service included Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei and Manjimup RSL secretary Ted Middleton.

Mr Brown thanked everyone for attending the service, which recognised the 75 years since the end of World War I.

The Bridgetown service was attended by about 20 people, many who took time out of their work days to commemorate the occasion.

Bridgetown RSL president Terry Linz said Remembrance Day was not just for returned servicemen and women.

“It’s for everybody, not just returned servicemen, it’s for everybody in the country to just remember the people who sacrificed their lives,” he said.

“There has been so many wars and the conflicts are still continuing, people are still dying and we’ve got to remember what’s happening.

“We must support the families of servicemen, particularly the ones that have been injured, the ones who have psychological problems.”

In Greenbushes the town’s service was well attended, with RSL members, the community and students from Greenbushes Primary School making up those gathered.

Students performed the song Lest We Forget at the service, before inviting RSL members and the community to enjoy a morning tea at the school after the service.

Kylie Loney said it was important for the school to be involved in the Remembrance Day Service.

“It means a lot to our community that our students show their respects,” she said.

Greenbushes RSL president Trever Bottomley praised the students’ involvement and said the song was well received.

In Boyup Brook, about 40 people gathered at the Boyup Brook War Memorial for the town’s service.

Boyup Brook RSL president Colin Hales said the service was poignant.

“I believe we have to remember those who put their lives on the line to give us our freedom and what we have today,” he said.

“It’s important we recognise that and we recognise the people who did return as well.”