The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th month, Remembrance Day. The day that the armistice was signed for the end of World War I between the Allies and the Germans at 5:45am in 1918.

Each year, Australians pause to remember those who fought for our freedom and against tyranny. Members of the Lismore RSL Sub-branch typically lead the service, people like Wilson McClelland, Ken Arnett and Ken Jolley.

Ken has a passion for the North Lismore War Memorial. It is where men from all around the Northern Rivers region and beyond would arrive and board the train bound for Brisbane and the eventual ocean journey to Europe.

Ken Jolley continually jokes, "I'm getting too old." So, he has put plans in place with Rivers Secondary College to ensure the services for Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day are never lost.

Relieving Executive Principal for Richmond River Secondary College Bree Harvey-Bice said this was the second year that students have planned, written and led a Remembrance Day or ANZAC Day service.

"We're trying to look at maintaining this memorial for the future. Ken's fabulous and has been looking after it for many, many years, but he talks about being too old to do it anymore. He wants the next generation to take it over, and so the kids are really proud to be able to do that."

The school captains from Richmond River High Campus, Lismore High Campus and Kadina High Campus did an outstanding job today.

(Richmond River Secondary College captains leading the Remembrance Day service at North Lismore today)

One of the school captains of Lismore High, Amy Salmon, started the service and posed a question that is not only the thoughts of teenagers throughout our region but that of adults.

"Why have we not been able to accomplish the simple act and deliver peace to a world supposed to be educated and enriched in wisdom and wealth?

"World War One was a destructive and wasteful conflict in which nationalism, emboldened by mass-produced weaponry, created a scale of destruction till then, unknown to human experience. The conflict was brutal, ugly, cruel, and so frighteningly horrible that it is difficult, difficult to conceive in the comfort of our 21st-century lives.

"War is never peaceful without or without suffering. What part do government leaders not understand?

"May I suggest, probably, that some of the most moving words ever written are found in St Joseph's gospel, which are carved into the headstones of war memorials around the world. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend. Or a more inclusive version today would read, No greater love can there be than to lay down one's life for a friend."

Of course, the pursuit of peace is only one aspect of Remembrance Day, as Georgia Quinn from Richmond River High Campus stated.

"We gather here at North Lismore Memorial, not only to remember, but to honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who came before us. Standing here today, I am reminded of the power of unity and courage in the face of unimaginable challenges.

"Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion, one that allows us to pause, to reflect and to pay our respects to those who served, fought and gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today."

In Ken Jolley's words, "I'm proud of them. Very proud."

When asked about Amy's thoughts about world peace, Ken agreed, saying, "We don't learn, mate, no one's learned, have they?"

It is fantastic to see that the traditions Australians honour are in good hands for generations to come.

The larger crowd, as is always the case, turns up at the cenotaph on Molesworth Street.

About a hundred people listened to Ken Arnett's (President of the Lismore RSL Sub-branch) words on the history of the poppy and its significance at this time of year and read John McCrae's famous poem.

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Lest we forget.