Yass remembers despite light rainfall

REMEMBRANCE DAY: Despite a light spattering of rainfall, a crowd of about 100 gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day outside the Yass Memorial Hall this morning.

Wreaths were laid by mayor Rowena Abbey, the Yass RSL sub-branch, Legacy and the Ladies Auxillary, and Edward Alley played the bugle for the Last Post.

Yass RSL sub-branch president Neil Turner said the ceremony was one of the best attended in several years, aside from the well-publicised Anzac Day services.

“It went very well, it’s the most number of people we’ve had turn up to a Remembrance service, there were about 100 people there and a bit of rain – but they weren’t put off by the rain,” he said.

“It’s the best turnout I’ve seen actually.”

He thinks the 100th anniversary of ANZAC has bolstered interest in ceremonies commemorating soldiers like this one, especially amongst the younger population.

“It’s the 100th year of ANZAC and there seems a bit of an upswelling of interest.

“We sell poppies up and down the street, and this year we’ve sold more than we’ve ever sold – in fact we started to run out in the end, which is most unusual.

“There’s been a resurgence of interest this year, which is great.”

More younger people participated this year.

“We also had more younger people there this time too, we normally don’t get a big crowd there because it’s the middle of the day, there’s school on, and it’s not a public holiday like Anzac Day is.

So really, it’s not a big open invitation for anyone to come like it is on Anzac Day.

“But when we take that into consideration, for 100 people to turn up, it’s really excellent.”

See related story here.