Thousands of people turned out to commemorate Anzac Day at services across Cessnock City on Wednesday.
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More than 2000 people gathered at the Cessnock war memorial for the 5.30am service to remember that day, 103 years ago, when the Australian troops landed at Gallipoli.
Cessnock RSL Sub-branch president Max Lewis said Anzac Day was a time to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for an ideal way of life.
“Let us take strength in the knowledge and hope that our sons and daughters will never forget the example set by our forefathers,” Mr Lewis said.
“In our everyday lives, let us endeavour to carry on those traditions established in past conflicts at such tragic cost.
“We think of every man, woman and child who in those crucial years died so that the likes of freedom and humanity might continue to shine.
“We nurture too the obligation of showing gratitude for the peace we enjoy and the responsibility of ensuring that the freedom and liberty so costly won is not lost in our own indifference.
“So let us mourn with pride, and let us also remember with equal pride those who served and still live.”
VIDEO: Watch Grant Collins perform ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ at the Cessnock dawn service in the post below.
Dawn services were also held at Branxton, Greta, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Millfield, Paxton and Wollombi.
The Cessnock City RSL Pipes and Drums band had a busy schedule leading the Abermain march at 8.30am, onto Weston at 9am, Kurri Kurri at 9.45am for 10am service, and back to Cessnock for the 11.15am march down Vincent Street to the war memorial in the TAFE grounds.
Aberdare, Greta, Neath Hotel and Branxton also held services on Wednesday morning.
At Kurri Kurri’s morning service, several hundred people filled Rotary Park to honour the Anzac spirit.
Veterans, former armed service members and current serving defence personnel were joined by children from schools across the Kurri Kurri district, scouts and guides in the march down Lang Street to the War Memorial.
The march was led by army veteran of 28 years Ron Hourigan in a vintage car and was cheered on by well-wishers lining the street all the way.
Back in the ranks of the school children Lachlan Woollard Rowley carried the legacy on his great-grandfather Eric Rowley’s World War II service with the RAF and RAAF in the middle-east and other theatres.
Lachlan proudly wore Eric’s service medals. Many other children did likewise in a mark of respect which has become an important part of Anzac Day services and marches as ceremonies continue to evolve and maintain their significance to third, fourth and fifth generation of descendant of the original Anzacs.
The crowd continued to swell as the march finished at the war memorial and even a short downpour of rain didn’t deter any.
Umbrellas popped up and in the spirit of mateship which epitomises Anzac Day, friend and stranger huddled together under cover from the rain.
Later that morning, Cessnock’s main march also started in the rain, but it didn’t stop a few thousand people lining Vincent and Cooper Street and proceeding to the TAFE grounds for the service.
The march once again included a large number of veterans, families and school children.
Captain Tony Rayner from the Royal Australian Navy was the keynote speaker at the service.
VIDEO: Watch Cessnock RSL Sub-branch’s live-stream of the service in the Facebook post below.
