HUGE crowds attended Anzac Day services in Tuncurry today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Locals rose extra early to attend a moving dawn service at the Tuncurry Lone Pine Memorial. Padre Daryl Moran gave an unforgettable speech about the contributions made by many brave, young soldiers who allowed us to inherit this beautiful country.
In an opening address to the crowd at this morning's dawn service, Forster Tuncurry RSL Sub Branch secretary Graeme Kernick said "it is wonderful to see so many people here paying their respects."
Veterans, personnel and school children then marched down Manning Street to the memorial for the 11am service.
The Sub Branch’s president Frank Brady said in front of a sizeable crowd at the 11am service "the spirit of Anzac is 100 years old today."
"When war broke out in 1914, Australia had only been a federal commonwealth for 13 years," Mr Brady said.
"Australian soldiers, many of whom died very young, their destiny was to make history.
"Their bravery, honour and courage is still recognised today. They were skillful fighters who fought together with a unified sense of purpose.
"The Anzac symbol has become a legend. Today, we pay homage to those men and the sacrifices they made.”
At the end of both services, the crowd said together proudly “We will remember them.”
It was perfect weather for both services this year - the complete opposite to last year which saw the 11am service moved indoors to Club Forster after a heavy storm battered the region.