Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke attended the State’s Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph at Martin Place to pay respects to Australia’s servicemen and servicewomen.
“Today, communities across the Cootamundra electorate and Australia came together to reflect on events which have shaped both who we are as a nation, and who we are as people,” Ms Cooke said.
“Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we mark this occasion – it was at this time and date in 1918 that the guns fell silent on the Western Front, officially ending the First World War.”
Ms Cooke said Remembrance Day is a time to remember the honourable Australian service men and women who have suffered and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
“The War came at a great cost for Australia, with more than 60,000 service men and women never returning home, from the 416,000 who enlisted,” Ms Cooke said.
“This affected every community, including those across our electorate of Cootamundra, and it is important that we continue to honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of these brave Australians.
Thanks to them, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we enjoy freedoms today.
“I would also like to acknowledge currently serving NSW military personnel and their families. They continue to make sacrifices for our country and communities and we are incredibly thankful.”
