ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018: Sharing Victoria's Stories

Organising An Armistice Centenary Event

Organising An Armistice Centenary Event

100 Year Armistice Anniversary
On 11 November 2018, we mark not only the annual Remembrance Day commemorations but also the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the cessation of hostilities in World War One, bringing to an end a terrible and destructive war.

It is a time to remember not only all those who lost their lives, their health and their well-being during World War One and later conflicts, but to use the commemoration to recommit to the concept of peace.

Below are some of the ways local government, ex-service organisations and community organisations can engage with this important anniversary.

Engage with local ex-service organisations

Ex-service organisations (such as RSLs) will be planning their annual services with many conducting special events for the 100 year anniversary.

Given the 100 year anniversary of the Armistice, there may be greater than usual media attention leading up to Remembrance Day, resulting in higher attendance numbers at some local services.

Local governments are encouraged to support organisations planning events and work with relevant authorities and emergency services where required.

Encourage One Minute Silence

In conjunction with your local ex-service organisations (RSL’s and others) promote one minute of silence at 11 am on 11 November.

Consider reminding your local community, businesses and organisations to take a minute to remember.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing,
take the time to stop and reflect on the sacrifice of those who served and died,
and also on how we may all promote peace in the future.

Communications and Armistice Logo

The Armistice branding is available free to any not-for-profit organisation planning publicly accessible commemoration activities on or in the lead up to Remembrance Day 2018. We encourage you to use the branding to be part of the national recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and the end of World War One.

The branding may be adapted to your local government area – so you may use Australia Remembers or Victoria Remembers or Hamilton Remembers (latter example only).

Commercial organisations wishing to use the Armistice branding must get permission from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Canberra, by contacting DVA on 1800 555 254 and asking for advice on Armistice branding.

Remembrance Day Youth/School Choirs

Organisations hosting Remembrance Day and Armistice events are encouraged to involve youth or school choirs. As Remembrance Day falls on a Sunday this year, the participation of school choirs may need early consultation with schools.

The Last Post at Intersections

Melbourne and some other locations in past years have temporarily closed a number of intersections, and placed a bugler to play The Last Post before the minute of silence and Reveille afterwards. Consideration could be given to doing this where there is Council and police approval. It should be noted that the Australian Defence Force will not be able to meet requests for large numbers of buglers, but your local brass band, Salvation Army or school band may well be able to assist, if given sufficient time to practice.

Consistent with involving a youth or school choir, we are keen to involve younger people in this important anniversary.

Bellringers

The Bellringers Association of Australia and New Zealand is interested in bellringing, after the one minute of silence on Remembrance Day, and has contacted relevant towers with a peal capacity. On a Sunday, we hope that many churches will respond, but any bell (school, town hall, even CFA) can be sounded to mark the Armistice on 11 November.

Please do not ring bells until well after the minute’s silence at 11am; after the end of the official commemorations would be best.

Please contact your local church, town hall or other facility with a bell to co-ordinate bellringing.

Pipers

There is a move to enlist 1000 pipers all over the UK to play the traditional Scottish lament, Battle’s Over, on Remembrance/Armistice Day 2018 (see www.brunopeek.co.uk). This idea has been taken up enthusiastically in Australia. Please contact your local pipe band to discuss. 6am or 5pm are recommended times, but this may be fitted in at any suitable time, avoiding the minute’s silence at 11am.

Facade Lighting

We will be asking key institutions which have the capacity for floodlighting or facade lighting, to use a red colour glow in the week leading up to Remembrance Day. The poppy is a distinctive symbol of remembrance, and the red colour will be an immediate reminder of the anniversary. If you have the capacity to do this, consider it for your key buildings or memorials.

Register your Remembrance Day and Armistice Events

A statewide calendar of Armistice and Remembrance Day events is being collated on the anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au website. We encourage you to register your events and projects on https://anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au/get-involved/register-event/.

The calendar will be accessed by the general public and the media.