The Mount Gambier Anzac Day dawn service drew a record crowd of around 6500 people to the Vansittart Park Soldiers Memorial on Tuesday.
The sun continued to shine as the Anzac Day march made its way down the main street at 10am followed by the mid-morning service.
There were several special guests in attendance including Royal Australian Navy Captain Ben MacDonald, Private Madison Sage from the 20th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery and WO2 Darryll McBain.
Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow said this year’s Anzac Day commemorations were a success.
“When the sun came up this morning and I could see all those people right down to the road I could not believe it,” he said.
“We had a good dawn service last year with about 4000 people, but we think there was about 6500 here this year.
“We are involving all the kids all the time and these people are happy to come along and support it and the services, Navy always supports it and we are fortunate enough this year to get a flyover”.
As part of the mid-morning service, Mount Gambier Community RSL vice president Peter Bruhn was the master of ceremonies, Captain McDonald delivered the Anzac Day address, Private Sage delivered the Anzac Requiem, Salvation Army Mount Gambier, Millicent core leader Tim Frost recited a prayer and Mayor of Mount Gambier Lynette Martin OAM also spoke.
In Anzac Day tradition, wreaths were laid, The Ode was recited by St Martins Lutheran College student Mitchell Kimber, the Last Post was played, there was a minute of silence and the national anthem was sung.
A highlight for the morning was a flyover conducted by a Boeing P8-A Poseidon military aircraft at 11.30am which had attendees eagerly lining the main street to catch a glimpse.
Mount Gambier was one of only five services in South Australia that received a flyover this year.
Mr Sandow said he attributed the recent involvement of youth in the record number at this year’s dawn service.
“We have been trying to involve a lot more kids over the years, there were about eight schools at the dawn service … so we have been trying to work with all the schools,” he said.
“For the first time ever, we have had the students talking, delivering The Ode which is going to happen in the future.
“Compton made wreaths for the Boer War service and Moorak made wreaths for the airmen’s service.
“I thought it was excellent for the kids to do that.
“A couple of years ago we made a garden at Moorak for Charlie Miller, so next year they are going to make wreaths from Charlie Miller’s garden.
“We will do more because eventually us older people will not be here and someone has to stand up and say, ‘we will do it’.
“If they have a taste now of what the values and the traditions of the RSL are, we will all win at the end.”
