PENOLA War Memorial Park was still and quiet at 11am on Sunday as the Penola and Coonawarra community fell silent in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Coonawarra and Penola RSL president Peter DeGaris directed the morning service with a minute’s silence followed by the laying of wreaths before Penola High School student Jessie Martin recited In Flander’s Fields.
The combined schools choir featuring students from Mary MacKillop Memorial School and Penola Primary School performed a number of songs and ended the ceremony with the national anthem.
Mr DeGaris said he was proud to be part of this year’s service.
“It’s always a very significant event each year, but I think marking 100 years gave people that little extra push to come out,” he said.
“We had at least 250 people attend the service, which was an amazing show of support for our diggers.
“The region lost more men in World War I than it did in World War II, so it’s important we recognise their sacrifice.”
The Penola War Memorial Park was the perfect setting for the service, according to Mr DeGaris.
“With the poppies and roses growing all around us, it could not be more idyllic,” he said.
“As a community, we gathered together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and I can not think of a more picturesque location to honour them.”
