PEOPLE in 1918 wouldn’t have known what a hydraulic cherry picker was, nevertheless it played an important role in Sunday’s Armistice ceremony re-enactment.
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At the conclusion of the service, the estimated 300 people in attendance were asked to face the cherry picker where photographer Robert Bruce stood to take the historic shot.
But other than the modern machinery, the ceremony differed little from the 1918 original, with the same hymns played and even a rendition of God Save the King as King George V reigned at the time.
We stand here today and enjoy the freedom those men who sacrificed their lives at the time have given us.
- City of Orange RSL sub-branch vice-president Chris Colvin
Librarian Sean Brady played the part of Frank Mulholland, the town clerk and master of ceremonies, introducing the speakers to redeliver the speeches made a century ago.
The first of the speeches came from mayor William Bouffler, played by today’s mayor Reg Kidd.
Cr Kidd said mothers’ hearts across the nation had broken so victory could be achieved.
VIDEO: Orange’s Remembrance Day service at Robertson Park ...
“The implements of destruction employed by the enemy have never been known before and I trust will never be heard of again,” he said.
Council director Scott Maunder appeared as alderman Edwin McNeilly to pay tribute to Orange’s women and children and said he was proud to be Australian.
“Our army did not retreat one inch during the whole war,” he said.
“I urge every one of you to do your best for the boys on their return.”
Holy Trinity Church’s Canon Taylor was brought to life by Reverend Gary Neville, the Methodist Church’s Reverend CP Walkden Brown, St Johns Presbyterian Church’s Reverend JC McDonald’s contribution was read by Peter Warren and Reverend Father Thomas Brosnan was played by Father Pat Ruane.
Mr Taylor spoke of the League of Nations, now the UN, and the role it would play in maintaining peace.
“The hope of the future lies in the maintenance of the Union Jack,” he said.
Participants walked to the bell tolls from Holy Trinity down to Robertson Park for the Remembrance Day service where attendance reached close to 1000.
City of Orange RSL sub-branch vice-president Chris Colvin said the numbers were the highest he could remember.
“We stand here today and enjoy the freedom those men who sacrificed their lives at the time have given us,” he said.
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