Surrounded by roses the colour of crimson, community members and veterans united in silence as they paused to remember the sacrifices of those who have served and died in war.
It was the first time a remembrance ceremony has been held at the new Moama RSL Memorial Gardens, which have been designed to pay homage to all three branches of the defence forces — the Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force.
Sub-branch president Ken Jones said he was pleased that the gardens could be used as a space to reflect and preserve memories of veterans who have put their lives on the line.
“We made a promise to remember those who served and those who died. And for more than a hundred years we have kept that promise,” Mr Jones said.
Special guest and former editor of The Riv Andrew Mole shared his own story of coincidental connection through service.
He spoke of the time he authored an article, which detailed the story of his great-uncle Clinton Carlisle Tainsh, who was shot down on the Western Front in 1917.
After the article was published, Mr Mole was contacted by the Nicholson family who had its own story about Clinton Tainsh.
In 2015, more than 102,000 poppies — each with a fallen soldier’s name — were planted in Penrith, Western Sydney, as part of a memorial called Poppy Park.
The family purchased a randomly selected poppy from the park that was boxed and sent out to them.
Inscribed on the Nicholsons’ poppy was Clinton Tainsh’s name.
Through this bizarre chance event, two families would revive the memory of a long lost soldier who sacrificed his life for the nation.
It is a tale that truly aligned with the spirit of Remembrance Day.