It was a beautiful morning for the Coonawarra Penola RSL Anzac Day commemorative event, where many people gathered at the Penola War Memorial Park to honour the service and sacrifice of their veterans.

Approximately 250 people attended the service to pay their respects, which was organised by the Coonawarra Penola RSL and conducted by Fr Lyndon Sulzberger.

Brian Lynn played the piano and has done so for the past 54 years and the combined Mary MacKillop and Penola Primary schools choir gave a rendition of ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’.

Twenty wreaths were laid at the memorial and the service was followed by a march led by Coonawarra Penola RSL President Peter DeGaris to the RSL for a Gunfire Breakfast.

Due to State Government imposed restrictions, the breakfast was only available for invited guests and members this year.

Mr Lynn said when he first started playing the piano at the Anzac Day services at 16 years old, only around 10 to 12 people attended the dawn service and a few more at the following service.

“It’s much better than it was and they have changed it from two services to just one service and I think it works really well, people are happy,” he said.

Mr DeGaris said organisers were blessed with fine weather for the service.

“We had a good attendance and we could not have really asked for a better day,” Mr DeGaris said.

“We’re lucky we have got a pretty vibrant club here.”