"ANZAC Day is a national day of commemoration in both Australia and New Zealand when we remember all those who died in war," president of the Bowral RSL sub-branch John Cummins said.

"The ANZAC landings were the first occasion where soldiers of these two fledgling nations fought together."

Mr Cummins applauded the courage of the ANZACs and those who served in World War I.

"While under British command, the ANZACs acted independently and with great bravery. In Australia's case, soldiers of state battalions arrived at Gallipoli and, at least those who survived, left as Australians. In the process, a legend was created that survives to this day," he said.

"So great were the losses at Gallipoli and later on the Western Front during World War I, they impacted heavily on our relatively small populations."

Local organisations and schools laid wreaths at the ceremony, and Major Tom Moon, Royal Signals Rtd paid a tribute to the soldiers that lost their lives at Gallipoli.

Southern Highlands Christian School captains Ashley Stapleton and Esther Davis also spoke on the meaning of ANZAC Day.