Schools sought for services

Getting schools to attend the Remembrance Day service in Geraldton next year will be a top priority of the local Returned Services League. The RSL was buoyed by four schools fronting at Wednesday’s service and are planning on a much bigger turnout in future. “It’s great to have some schools back . . . it’s been a long time since they have been here,” Geraldton RSL president Barry Stinson said. “We would love them to return and honour the day and servicemen.” Earlier this year, former Geraldton Grammar School principal John Royce contacted 17 schools inviting them to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony. Five schools responded to his letter. Champion Bay Senior High School, Nagle Catholic College and St Francis Xavier and Mount Tarcoola primary schools attended on Wednesday. “Four are here, it’s a start,” Mr Royce said. Who did attend the ceremony in a big way was the family of Vietnam vet Brett Charlton, 72, who passed away in Nazareth House on October 26. Mr Charlton’s daughters Bonny Charlton, Gemma Curley, Tamara Varney and Jenna Hoare, along with countless grandchildren, proudly sported poppies. “There’s another four grannies who aren’t here,” Mrs Varney, the eldest daughter, said. “Dad passed of war-related injuries . . . he would have been pretty proud of this today.” A formation in a fly-past of three planes, led by local pilot Paul ‘Butch’ Pettet, was in honour of Mr Charlton. It was the first time there has been a fly-past at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Geraldton.