In 1918, after four years of catastrophic world war, an armistice took effect.
The guns ceased. The fighting ended. The slaughter stopped.
From that exact moment when silence gripped the battlefield came a sacred tradition of people falling silent too.
In the 11th month. On the 11th day. At the 11th hour.
A profound national pause. A simple act of remembrance.
Today, in time-honoured tradition - in silence, stillness, and solemn reflection - Australians will remember our fallen.
We will honour all Australians who have served, suffered, and sacrificed in wars and military operations for our nation.
Many of us will remember and honour family members who served.
For my family, Remembrance Day carries much weight.
My grandfather, William Hudson, served in the First World War.
William fought on the Western Front, was wounded in the leg at Bullecourt, and survived the war.
And like so many veterans who served in new ways beyond the battlefield, he became the chief engineer of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme.
My wife's grandfather, Alan Hudson, served in the Second World War.
Alan was among the almost 15,000 Australian PoWs held in the brutal Changi prison in Singapore.
Incredibly, Alan survived almost four years in captivity, made it home, married his sweetheart, and together, they raised six children.
Our silent remembrance at the 11th hour is a most meaningful minute.
Our remembrance engenders gratitude.
Australia wouldn't be the country it is today but for all those Australians who, across our history, risked all to fight evil, to defend our home, and to preserve our freedoms.
Our remembrance rouses responsibility too.
The deeds of those who served - and the inheritance they've bequeathed - inspire us to do what we must to protect our way of life.
And our remembrance holds us to the mark.
In commemorating our fallen, we recall the best qualities that define us as Australians and the standards we strive towards:
To serve, not to take.
To stand together, not apart.
To remain courageous in adversity, not despairing.
Who we were - and what we did - reminds us of who we are - and what we can do.
And after a most meaningful minute, …
… after our silent remembrance at the 11th hour, …
… with three words, …
… we sustain the soul of our nation, …
… we strengthen our national spirit.
"Lest we forget".
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
