THOUSANDS gathered in the crisp early morning to mark the 100 year anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
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The dark did not deter residents from taking part in the national Anzac tradition and commemorate the soldiers who had lost their life on the battlefield and for those who still fight today.
The Albion Park RSL Sub-Branch became a place of remembrance and reflection for the dawn services at 4.30pm. A breakfast was held after the service.
Malayan Emergency Veteran and Albion Park RSL sub branch committee member Bill Dean said he was "bubbling" after the dawn service.
"Coming here is a must every year," he said.
"I wouldn't miss it. To pay respect to all the soldiers and also to my father who served in WWII."
Vice President of Albion Park RSL sub branch Deborah Hamilton said this years turnout was the biggest yet.
"We estimate about 3000 people are here today," she said.
"We have been selling badges for weeks and the amount of interest we have seen and money we have raised has surpassed previous years.
"Our aim here at Albion Park is to involve the community and everyone has really taken it on board this year for the centenary."
Meanwhile, an estimated thousand people flocked to the War Memorial at Caroline Chisholm Park, Shellharbour Village for the Anzac Day service on Saturday morning.
Warilla RSL Sub-Branch honorary treasurer Allan Hurrell was pleased with the turnout, believing it had probably increased 50 per cent on last year.
He said the event had grown considerably during little more than five years.
“It’s very encouraging,” he said.
“It’s gone from eight people to what it is today.
“We’d like to thank the people for turning up and supporting us.
“The Centenary of Anzac has captured people’s attention, but also there’s been a growth in community spirit here now because there’s more people, they’re looking for a central point and this is one of the focuses of the community now.
“Our War Memorial has the names of four Gallipoli veterans on it, and two of them died at Gallipoli, and we’re very proud of it.
“Not only that it’s the oldest War Memorial in Australia.”
Later in the morning a huge crowd gathered at the Shellharbour City Memorial for the 7.20am.
HARS assisted in the ceremony with fly overs from various military aircarft during the presentation.
Shellharbour City air-cadets were also in attendance as well as the Salvation Army Band members.
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said the annual Anzac services were very close to her heart.
"My grandfather served as well as my father in law who also served in the Middle East, so I have a direct connection." she said.
"But regardless of those with or without a direct connection, it's something that everyone in the community reflects upon and something that brings us all together.
"Every year I feel so proud to be Australian but this year especially, it's really in my heart.
"We are just so lucky and so lucky to live in this electorate. It's a beautiful day, a fantastic day and it's an honor to be here."
A few hundred people gathered at Oak Flats for their annual Anzac march and service.
The service has taken place annually for approximately 40 years.
Participants marched from the Ayers Lane car park, down to Kingston Street and to Oak Flats Bowling Club for the service.
A march was also held at Warilla Bowling Club at 9.45am generating a crowd about 400 people made up of families, local students, veterans, residents and club members.
Father Brian Jones lead the Anzac pray and said that while Anzac day was to commemorate all soldiers past and present, today was particularily significant for the landing in Gallipoli and the legacy that lives on.
"I would like to contrast the landing in Gallipoli with the withdrawal," he said.
"The withdrawal of Gallipoli was clever and well managed, they withdrew without any fatalities. We left Gallipoli as an army that could plan and act and that is the legacy of Anzac.
"We became a force that were looked upon by our allies and feared by their enemies."
Warilla Bowls Vice Chairman Robert Tynana said the march was the biggest crowd they had had yet.
"Its so great to see everyone here and the kids," he said.