Crowds turned out to commemorate Anzac Day in St George and Sutherland Shire this morning despite rain and chilly conditions.
Although low key, the Anzac Day service at Arncliffe Park from 6am attracted more than 300 people, at least three times the expected number. It was a lovely dawn service, with a bugle and birdsong.
Kogarah RSL had organised a full-on march starting at 7.15am from its headquarters in Railway Parade to the war memorial at Kogarah Park. Hundreds of people took part.
A brass band played between the speeches and wreath-laying and many children took part in the ceremony.
An estimated 7000 people gathered for the Anzac Day dawn service at Miranda, marking the 99th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
Steady rain did not deter the crowd including the many children whose numbers were up on previous years.
The focus of the dawn service was the newly relocated Miranda war memorial in Seymour Shaw Park.
‘‘We are here today to celebrate the spirit of Anzac which permeates us today and hopefully into the future,’’ said master of ceremonies, Miranda RSL sub-branch honorary secretary Bruce Taylor.
The role of Australian’s indigenous Diggers was highlighted including the 1000 Aboriginal volunteers at Gallipoli.
The role of New Zealand in the Anzac legend was remembered with the New Zealand national anthem sung by April-Marie Neho.
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