Crowds flocked to Anzac Day dawn services across Sutherland Shire, allaying fears there could be a drop-off following the end of the centenary of WWI.
The weather certainly helped - with clear skies and pleasant temperatures.
Monro Park at Cronulla was overflowing, with numbers estimated at between 5000 and 7000.
"Like a lot of other sub-branch presidents, I suspect, I was a bit concerned there could be a drop-off in numbers following the end of the WWI centenary on November 11, 2018," said Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch president Cory Rinaldi.
"But that certainly wasn't the case, and I think there were definitely more than last year.
"There were people from one end of Monro Park to the other.
"I think there was more awareness this year.
"There was talk early in the year of the possibility of road closures and more recent media stories about respecting the day."
An estimated 5000 to 6000 attended the service at the Miranda war memorial, spilling out of Seymour Shaw Park well up Central Road.
Up to 4000 people packed into the Engadine town square and over adjoining roads.
About 2000 people gathered in Parc Menai around the remembrance wall, which the community successfully campaigned for several years ago.
The dawn service at Caringbah always has the smallest turnout, partly because it starts the earliest at 4.20am.
However, the early hour did not deter many children, including a contingent from Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, who joined the march by veterans and family members along Kingsway to the war memorial.
The Sutherland dawn service in Peace Park was "excellent," according to Woolooware resident Andrew Bladwell.
"The band, the singer, the bugler, the piper and the Kookaburras all contributed admirably," he said in an email to the Leader. "Very, Very well done to all involved".
Ceremonies were also held at Bundeena, Heathcote and Woronora River.
