ONE HUNDRED years ago the Armistice of Peace was signed, ending the Great War.
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Today the community of Ararat commemorated the end of four years of bloodshed with over 100 community members turning out at Soldier’s Memorial Park to lay wreathes and remember those who fell in the war.
Community members came with the medals of their parents pinned to their jackets, honouring the sacrifices made by family so they may be here.
Ararat RSL committee member Greg Dalmayer said a good number of people had arrived for the occasion, which seemed to be having a renaissance.
“For a while there weren’t many people turning up but it seems to be having a resurgence in people paying homage,” he said.
He said this may be because war is still a relevant part of life today for many.
“Each war we’ve gone into, we’ve always said that’s the last one. But we still seem to get into conflict all over the world,” he said.
Ararat Rural City Council mayor Peter Beales was also present with wife Jenny Beales.
Bot have personal connections to those who served in the wars.
“My grandfather served in both wars and in the Battle of Polygon Wood,” said Mrs Beales.
“Four of his children went to war including my mother who was a radar operator.”
A special event marking the moment the armistice was signed will take place tonight at 5pm at Soldiers Memorial Park.
The event will be coordinated with other events all over the western world at the same moment.