Mount Gambier honours ANZAC Day spirit

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

MOUNT Gambier stood in silent contemplation early yesterday morning as the "Last Post" sounded out over Vansittart Park for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

As the sun rose over the War Memorial, hundreds paused to honour and reflect on the selfless contribution Australia's servicemen and women have made, and continue to make, for their country.

By mid-morning, people young and old had come together to line Commercial Street to cheer on the city's veterans in appreciation of what they had done.

With flags waving, the ANZAC Day street march made its way down to Vansittart Park, where services continued in front of a record crowd.

"ANZAC Day is very important to all Australians," said Mount Gambier Community RSL president Bruce Williams.

"We're always called a `lucky country' and it's through the deeds of our first and second World War soldiers that we enjoy the freedom that we do today."

Mr Williams said the attendance at the Dawn Service would have been about 700 to 800 people, the most he had seen in his 15 year association with the RSL.

"Each year just seems to be getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger," he said.

"This being the 90th anniversary of Gallipoli probably has a little bit to do with it and I think it's getting into the schools a lot more now and the younger generation are appreciating the sacrifice that was made."

Yesterday's ANZAC Day service marked 90 years since Australian and New Zealand soldiers stormed the cliffs at Gallipoli, showing the courage and mateship that defined the ANZAC spirit and helped shape a nation.

After eight long months of vicious stalemate, with fighting in some parts occurring just metres away from enemy lines, more than 11,000 Diggers had made the ultimate sacrifice and left a legacy which endures in the hearts and minds of Australians today.

Although all of the original Diggers have passed on, today their spirit lives on in the Australians who served in the numerous conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, and in the young people who continue to carry on the ANZAC tradition.

Lest we forget.