Page MP Janelle Saffin is encouraging the local community to pause for one minute’s silence on Remembrance Day, to pay tribute to those Australians who have lost their lives in service of our country.

Ms Saffin said this year is especially significant because it marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.

“In 2009 we also lost our last living link to the First World War, John ‘Jack’ Ross. This year also marked the 10th anniversary of the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) operation- restoring peace for the people of East Timor.

“I encourage everyone to pause for one minute’s silence at 11am on 11 November to remember the more than 102,000 Australians who died serving our country in wars, conflicts and peace operations and the many more who have passed away since.

“At 11am on 11 November 1918 fighting ceased on the Western Front ending four years of conflict that saw more than 61,000 Australians lose their lives.

“For 90 years since then Australians have marked a minute’s silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to remember those who died in service.

“We can also mark Remembrance Day by buying a red poppy from the RSL, a symbol of the distinctive red poppies that appeared on the devastated battlefields of the Western Front.

“By keeping up this tradition a new generation of Australians can learn the significance of our wartime history and the men and women who sacrificed so much, and those who continue to serve today in places like Iraq and Afghanistan."