By Gabriella Payne
The clouds had parted and the sun was shining on Thursday 11 November, as locals gathered one by one to pay their respects at the Lang Lang war memorial.
Wreaths laden with poppies were carefully placed at the base of the cenotaph as the townspeople stood quietly, bowing their heads as they took a moment to reflect.
The sounds of acoustic guitar filled the air, as local musician Brian Candy sang the famous tune, ‘The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ – an ode to those lost in the war and a fitting piece for Remembrance Day.
Mr Candy, a member of the Lang Lang RSL Club and a friend of the song’s creator, Eric Bogle, said that it was an honour to play it for the people of Lang Lang at the 11am service.
“Every year I play this song at Anzac Day services and I try to support the local RSL club however I can,” Mr Candy said.
“It’s strange to say, but when I see the people here thinking of the ones they’ve lost and I see the tears in their eyes – I know I’m doing my job.”
“It makes me proud to do it – and I say that with tears in my own eyes,” he said, clearly moved by the song’s powerful lyrics.
People both young and old congregated together that morning, as speeches and poems were read while the Australian flag was hoisted up the mast.
The Acting President of the Lang Lang RSL Club, Allan Sariman, addressed the crowd and read the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the red, remembrance poppy.
Afterwards, he said it had been great to see everyone gathered together on such an important day.
“In Lang Lang, there’s a lot of ex-servicemen and their families and I saw a lot of their daughters, sons, granddaughters and grandsons all here today,” Mr Sariman said.
“There’s a long line of heritage here and we may be a small club, but we still remember all our veterans every year.”
Mr Sariman said that he hoped those in attendance enjoyed the service and he expressed his gratitude on behalf of the club.
“I just want to thank the community for coming along – we hope to get things back on track very soon [now that lockdown is over],” he said.
The service was followed by a light morning tea in the club rooms and everyone sat back, reflecting together over homemade Anzac biscuits, fresh scones and a cup of tea – the perfect end to a commemorative day.
