Around the country on Wednesday Australians have gathered to honour the memory of those who have died or suffered in wars and armed conflicts.

This Remembrance Day, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, who are currently on their national tour of Australia, attended the ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The royal couple planted pin oak trees and placed poppies on the Roll of Honour.

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The national ceremony included a formal wreath-laying, and students from each state and territory were present, representing the youth of Australia.

This year’s event focused on the sacrifice of Indigenous soldiers, with Indigenous author and historian Jackie Huggins giving the commemorative address – the first Indigenous person in history to give an address at the ceremony.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans were often denied the honour and rights given to other veterans, such as soldier settlement land grants,” Ms Huggins said.

“Many were refused membership, even entrance to RSL clubs.

Thousands of soldiers will battle mental health issues as a result of their service. Photo: ABC

“My father and grandfather, along with many Indigenous men and women served our nation in war.

“Their abiding loyalty to this country we all call home rose above the deep bitterness of the past.”

There was a special naming of a gallery at the war memorial after Captain Reg Saunders – the first Aboriginal person commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army.

In Adelaide, the Returned Services League (RSL) recreated a time when almost everyone came to a halt for one minute by placing buglers around the city to play the Last Post.

Veterans support group Soldier On asked Australians to not only pause for a moment’s silence, but to also take a minute to reach out to a mate.

Soldier On said nearly 15,000 men and women who served will battle mental health issues as a result, and half will not seek support.

“Take one minute to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many, and then take one minute to remember the recently returned veterans and the challenges and struggles they face,” CEO John Bale said.

This year marks the 97th anniversary of the armistice which ended World War I in 1918.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was originally known as Armistice Day; however, after World War II, the day became Remembrance Day to commemorate all those who have died in war.

On the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919, two minutes’ silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony at the new Centotaph in London.

The silence was proposed by Australian journalist Edward Honey who was working in Fleet Street.

In 1997, governor-general Sir William Deane issued a proclamation declaring November 11 to be Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute’s silence.

Ex PM’s club Kevin Rudd talks to Tony Abbott #RemembranceDay2015 @GuardianAus @gabriellechan #politicslive pic.twitter.com/zIdCmNPyDu

— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) November 11, 2015

Mitch and mum Rebecca at the #Cleveland #RemembranceDay2015 service @612brisbane pic.twitter.com/I2RyjUlpsY — Terri Begley (@TerriReports) November 11, 2015

Buninyong residents reflecting on lives lost at war as part of #RemembranceDay commemorations @WINNews_Bal pic.twitter.com/oktwXCsOkT

— Emily White (@_EmilyWhite_) November 11, 2015

Premier Mike Baird among the first to lay wreaths at #RemembranceDay service… pic.twitter.com/i7Bc0oGYoZ — Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 11, 2015

Long Tan commander Harry Smith & the chopper that dropped ammo during the battle @abcnews #remembranceday pic.twitter.com/PG4zgovK0i — Bruce Atkinson (@bruceatkinson17) November 11, 2015

A fantastic #RemembranceDay service at Anzac Square in Brisbane. It was great to see many stop to pause & reflect. pic.twitter.com/QoykR0WBCW — Austin Wenke (@austin_wenke) November 11, 2015

With local Marsden resident Harry McCabe who served in the Vietnam War at Logan Central this morning #RemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/wvBxh9jFcf

— Cameron Dick (@camerondickqld) November 11, 2015