STRONG numbers made their way to Portland’s Memorial Triangle to commemorate Remembrance Day on Friday, November 11.

Around 100 people arrived for the service to mark the 104th anniversary of the end of WWI, including veterans and their families as well as representatives of the Glenelg Shire Council, Victoria Police, and  Fire Rescue Victoria.

Portland RSL Sub Branch president Geoff White welcomed the crowd, and acknowledged that the day served as recognition for people who served in all conflicts, and the sacrifices they made.

“We need to recognise at all commemorations that there is a whole host of service people who have been permanently effected by the trauma of war,” he said.

“We particularly recognise the high incidence of suicide, significantly in the modern era from such trauma.”

Deacon Alan Ford led a prayer, and then guest speakers Year 9 students from Bayview College Nina Boyd and Lila Barker shared their classmates and their own thoughts on the meaning and importance of Remembrance Day.

Wreaths were then laid by veterans for the fallen from each conflict, WWI, WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Timor, as well as another for those who had suffered trauma from war.

Many also laid a poppy on the memorial, before the minutes silence was observed, and the Last Post played by Jasmine Biadacz from the Portland Brass Band.

After the service, a plaque to commemorate the service of those who participated in the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Timor, was unveiled by veterans Hayley Filopovic, Darren Polley and Will Handbury, each a veteran of those conflitcts.

Around 50 people packed the RSL rooms on Percy Street for morning tea provided by the RSL members.

Further down the street in front of the Uniting Church, a stall was set up to recognise the message of peace that Armistice Day represents, promoting de-escalating global conflicts currently emerging.