RSL sub branch secretary, Bob Denner, said members were delighted with the turnout.

“To see such commitment from people of all ages, especially children and young adults is especially heartening for veterans and their families,” he said. 

The service, held during intermittent showers, included an a’capella choir and the reading of the names of every local man killed on military service from, Gallipoli to Korea.

Among the crowd were four World War II veterans, including life time local, Arthur Billing, who left his high care facility at Bellingen to attend both services and the Anzac Day luncheon.

Crowds at the main commemoration were similar to recent years despite threatening weather.

Among the guests was the mayor, Mark Troy.

Driving rain fell towards the end of the service but those on parade held their ground.

One observer commented: “It was pretty impressive. Young school kids, families, community service personnel and old soldiers never flinched

“If this had been a football match people would have bolted for cover.”