"For your tomorrow, we give our today."
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These were the signing off words of Commodore Rob Elliott CSC AM RAN in his address at the Bowral Dawn Service. They heralded a solemn message from all the men and women who lost their lives or were injured while serving their country in war and peacekeeping activities.
The Bowral Dawn service, which attracted several hundred people, was one of 15 dawn and day services held across the Wingecarribee Shire on Anzac Day. The Bowral Day service was equally well-supported as the crowd lined Bong Bong Street to watch the parade led by Bowral RSL sub-branch president John Cummins and Commodore Elliott.
The earliest services in the the Highlands - the Mittagong Dawn service - was well attended with hundreds of people lining the street. Meanwhile, the Berrima District Aero Club treated Highlanders to an air show at the MIttagong Day Service before veterans, emergency services, students and other community members paraded down the street.
A crowd gathered at the Bundanoon Dawn service with candles in hand and heads bowed to pay respects to the fallen. Advance Australia Fair was preceded by a moving rendition of the New Zealand national anthem to commemorate those who lost their lives in the recent Christchurch terrorist attack.
More than 100 people surrounded the War Memorial in Berrima as the dawn service began at 5.45 am. The venerable Geoff Webb, an army chaplain led the service in prayer and hymn. Wreaths were laid by individuals and organisations, including Inspector John Klepczareck from Southern Highlands Police.
Also in attendance was veteran Shane Tobler and his rescue dog Archimedes, laying a wreath on behalf of FOWAS representing all the animals that have lost their lives in the wars and that still serve our defence forces today.
There was a strong representation across the generations at the Hill Top Dawn Service at the War Memorial Hall. A powerful rendition of Last Post by the Southern Highlands Community Band had everyone's attention, before they moved into a minutes silence. The service was completed with rousing renditions of God Save the Queen, God Defend New Zealand and Advance Australia Fair followed by breakfast at the hall.
Colo Vale Community Hall caught the eye of service-goers with its large, poppy decorated posters. One poster said 'Lest We Forget' and the other featured a cross made up entirely of the flower.
Every man and his dog attended the Anzac Day service in Exeter. Silas Sonter and Neil Hughes from the First Australian Light Horse Brigade in Moss Vale led the parade with students from Exeter Public School following close behind.
Veterans and members of the community joined the parade in a lap around Exeter Oval. A traditional Anzac Day service was held afterwards.
It was a beautiful day for the morning Anzac service at Sutton Forest. Crowds gathered at the memorial park on the corner of Golden Vale Road and Illawarra Highway as the Light Horse Brigade led the procession to the service, followed the Highlands Pipes and Drums band, and fellow veterans.
Cadets from Chevalier College assumed their role as the catafalque party as Wingecarribee Shire Council mayor, Duncan Gair laid a wreath in memory of fallen soldiers.
Concluding the ceremony, Nerida Barnsley sang the New Zealand national anthem in Maori and English to commemorate New Zealand's role in the Anzac legend, and then followed it with the Australian Anthem.
The front lawn of the Moss Vale Services Club was overflowing with people paying their respects to those who have served our country past and present. Members of the Light Horse Brigade in Moss Vale were present and a poem entitled The Infantryman by Jon M Nelson was read.
Hoddle Street was lined with students and community members to commemorate Anzac day at Burrawang. Students from Oxley College, Burrawang Public School, Moss Vale High School and Robertson Public School all donned their uniforms to pay their respects to fallen service men and women, laying wreaths at the cenotaph at Burrawang School of Arts.
More than 200 people gathered for the morning Anzac Day service in Robertson. Members of the public filled the memorial park, with others standing on the other side of the fence to watch the ceremony. Children from Burrawang and Robertson Public Schools attended the service to lay wreaths, alongside other community members.
