By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A SEA of red poppies flooded around the Cockatoo centotaph as the town’s primary school students did they bit to remember lives lost to conflict.
As part of their Remembrance Day effort, some 250 primary school students fastened a black circle to the top of their red school hats, resembling a traditional poppy.
They each sat in quiet reflection as Cockatoo RSL president Brett Barker spoke of the servicemen who left the town to serve in past conflicts, leaving their wives, sisters and daughters to keep the town running.
“The burden of so many men away meant women made an extreme contribution back home,” he said.
Before the minute’s silence was observed by students, teachers and community members, a number of people presented bouquets of flowers, including handmade paper poppy assortments underneath the cenotaph.
Guest speaker Cardinia Shire councillor Leticia Wilmot spoke about the importance of service in the community, reflecting on the many sacrifices made by servicemen and women in conflicts, including World War I.
“We are here to recognise what is lost is not missing. They are here with us now and we will remember them,” Cr Wilmot said.
Senior school student Ella read out “In Flanders Fields” to the crowd before the trumpet sounded the Last Post.
