Every year, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to remember those men and women who have served and those who have died in all wars and peacekeeping operations.

The service began with a burning ceremony in which Uncle Mik Edwards and Jungala welcomed us to the Bunurong country and the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Then followed an introduction to the day, when it was first celebrated 104 years ago in 1918. Then at 11.00am the minute of silence began. Being present at the Shrine at this time was quite important to me, and I felt so fortunate to be in such occasion. I closed my eyes and lowered my head as the last post began to play, remembering those who fought for our country. When I opened my eyes, I was met with the gorgeous Shrine of remembrance building, which was incredibly powerful to witness on such a wonderful day.

One of my duties on the day as Young Ambassador was handing a wreath to the state opposition leader Matthew Guy as well as laying a wreath at the front of the Shrine on behalf of all the Victorian schools.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the sanctuary around the stone of remembrance, which is carved with the bible text "greater love hath no one." At 11am, a natural ray of sunlight enters the Sanctuary, illuminating the word LOVE on the Stone of Remembrance.

However, because it was such a dreary and cloudy day, the beam of light was rarely visible. So, everyone gathered around the stone, waiting for the single second when the sun would shine through, which was so beautiful to watch when it finally happened.

Sofia Castello, Year 9