von Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today laid a wreath at the Remembrance Day commemoration service at Martin Place in Sydney.
Remembrance or Armistice Day commemorates the end of World War One at 11am, 11 November 1918.
Mr Clare said it was an opportunity to remember all those who had died serving our country.
“Since 1919 Australia has honoured our servicemen and women with a minute’s silence at 11am on 11 November,” Mr Clare said.
“Today, the nation will fall silent once again to remember those who lost their lives in defence of our nation.
“We’ll also remember the men and women who defend us today and the sacrifice that they and those close to them make to allow Australians to live freely.”
Mr Clare encouraged Australians who could not get to a service to mark the occasion by wearing a red poppy.
“The tradition comes from the poem In Flanders Field, written in 1915 by a Canadian field doctor who noticed that despite the devastation of war red poppies still grew in spring,” Mr Clare said.
“Since 1921 Australian RSLs have sold red poppies as a reminder of the 102,000 Australian men and women who gave their lives in times of war.”
Press release
Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, Australia