Crowds started to build at Camp Shortland about 4am, with those eager to snag a good spot arriving even earlier, before the audience began to deepen and spill out into adjoining Foreshore Park.

A eerie silence filled the area before the catafalque party sounded the drums and an audio-visual presentation set the scene.

“As we stand here overlooking this beautiful beach on this Anzac morning, we remember that other beach on the first Anzac Day,” the voice-over said.

“For a while it too was quite. Then all hell was unleashed.”

The sounds of gunfire echoed across Camp Shortland, as young and old remembered the sacrifices, the courage and bravery of young Australians who ventured across the seas not knowing if they would ever come home.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city made a disproportionate sacrifice to the war effort. 

“One hundred years ago, the war that was supposed to be over by Christmas showed no signs of finalisation,” she said.

“Fighting was bogged down in horrendous casualties on both sides, to no avail or no net gain on either side.”

At the end of the service, four cannon shots – representing the fallen and the three arms of the Defence Force – fired from Fort Scratchley, which was lined with scouts who had camped out at the historic site for the past three nights.

Newcastle RSL sub-branch president Ken Fayle was pleased with this year’s service and was proud of the city’s attendance.

“We’re a great free nation because of them,” he said.

The crowds moved to the beach as the sun rose, with many stopping to take photographs, before dispersing onto buses or walking home shortly afterwards.

Watch livestreams from the Nobbys dawn service and commemorations around the region below, and follow theherald.com.au for images of commemorations across the region throughout the day. Lest we forget.