TRANSCRIPT:
"They went with songs to the battle. They were young, straight of limb, true of eye, steady under glow. They were staunch to the end under odds uncounted. They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
It's been 106 years since the end of the First World War, the bloodiest and most costly conflict for Australian soldiers.
Over 400,000 men enlisted to serve from a population of under five million people, or 38.7 per cent of the male population aged between 18 and 44.
Over the four years of continuous conflict, more than 60,000 of these Australian soldiers were killed with 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.
Greg Melick is the National President of the Returned and Services League [[R-S-L]].
"At 11 am on November the eleventh, 1918, the guns of Europe at last fell silent, and after four years of bitter fighting, the great war was finally over. That date is now observed as Remembrance Day, and this year, let us again pause to honour the courage and sacrifices of all those who have served in our defence forces over the years."
The sails of Australia's iconic Opera House have been covered with red poppies this Remembrance Day - and Australian soldiers who lost their lives in First World War campaigns - and wars ever since - have been honoured in ceremonies around the country.
The president of R-S-L New South Wales Mick Bainbridge says he's been heartened by the increasing number of people attending services.
"I hope it continues to grow. I think it is such an incredible thing for us to remember where we have been. It's not just my role in the RSL as president is to look after veterans. It is also to advocate against putting veterans in positions where they may risk life and limb. So I think it is a poignant reminder that we need to come together as a community, remember, and also keep in mind that we need to avoid these things in the future."
In Canberra, Remembrance Day has also been chosen as the time for the Governor-General - alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - to unveil a particular honour: the awarding of the Victoria Cross to a Vietnam War private, Richard Norden.
"On discovering his comrade had been killed, he fought on, clearing the area so his body could be safely recovered. Such was his courage that the enemy soldiers abandoned their positions, and as a result many more Australian lives were saved. These deeds are more than worthy of the highest honour Australia can bestow, the Victoria Cross. On bestowing this honour today, we also honour all those who fought for him."
The Prime Minister is referring to a decades long battle waged by friends of the Private - who died in 1972 - for an upgrade to the Distinguished Conduct Medal he'd been awarded for his actions in the war.
The Governor General says the higher recognition of Norden's actions is more than appropriate.
"For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the A-O surface area of operations in the Bien Hoa province Vietnam on the 14th May 1968 during the battle of Fire Support Base Coral. The Victoria Cross for Australia is Australia's highest military honour. The awarding of it speaks to Private Norden's courage and selflessness in the heat of battle. His ongoing legacy and the bravery of generations of our service personnel. This is an historic occasion for Australia and the Australian Defence Force and a very significant day for Private Norden's loved ones."
The Private's family say they are brimming with pride for Mr Norden, who they remember as a humble man and a larrakin.
It's these qualities of mateship and camaraderie that Group Captain Rodney Srinivasan says have been forged among the horrors of war.
"Too many of their mates had been killed. One sits and ponders sadly of those many pals who are gone to that home from which no wanderer returns, lamented Corporal Roger Morgan of the 2nd Battalion. Men would rather die than to let a mate die. Mateship and the deep loyalty it brang, gave the Australian Imperial Force the strength to endure the terrible ordeal."
Governor-General Mostyn says Remembrance Day should also acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Australian military personnel.
"We should deeply acknowledge the commitment made by the women and men of today's A-D-F to serve with integrity, courage and honour. In their dedication to duty, their pursuit of peace and their defence of Australia they also embody the flame of remembrance. And today, across Australia, we now gather in solemn acts of remembrance, offering our own tributes to the fallen, and the families, the veterans and all of those who know what it is to serve."
"'Lest we Forget'".
