Southern Highlands stops for Anzac Day | PHOTOS

Read also:

More than 300 people lit up the Bundanoon dawn service at 6 am with artificial candles to cast a somber glow. The service included a dedication by Bundanoon RSL Sub-Branch president Robert Williams.

Both the New Zealand and Australian National Anthem were sung at the conclusion of the service. The Bundanoon Lions club served tea, coffee and bacon and egg rolls to the hungry residents who came out in droves to support the servicemen and women.

Members of the community and traffic personnel spread out across the driveway at the Hill Top War Memorial at 6am, and watched the raising of the flag. Wreaths and flowers were laid by various community groups, and local representatives.

Anzac coordinator for the Friends of Hilltop War Memorial Sid Jeffery read poetry, and said that despite restrictions, there were more people than last year. Guest speakers spoke about family members who have served, and acknowledged the loss of generations across rural NSW.

Attendees were invited to refreshments and a bacon and egg roll afterwards, and chatted about past servicemen and women in the hall.

Veterans young and old gathered together to march at Sutton Forest National Service and Reserve Force Memorial. More than 200 people gathered to pay their respects on the cold frosty morning.

Young veteran Jonathon Russo spoke to the crowd and shared his thoughts and experiences on Anzac Day and fighting overseas. Nerida Barnsley concluded the ceremony by singing the New Zealand National Anthem in Maori and English, followed by the Australian National Anthem.

Community members, school students, and emergency services gathered for the raising of the flag and laid wreaths at the Colo Vale War Memorial. Anzac organiser John Stead said it was an open invitation to lay wreaths and flowers, and was surprised with the amount laid at the memorial. The Colo Vale Fire Brigade, Chief Inspectors Jason Horn and Brendan Bernie and Colo Vale Public School were one of many who came and paid their respects.

A large crowd gathered at Exeter to watch the Light Horse Corporal Graham Brown, Sargent Silas Sonter and Troopers Neil Hughs, Richard Irvine and Gerard Hogan began the parade of horses.

Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander Jason Taylor gave the commemorative speech, while students from Exeter Primary School paid tribute to the Exeter soldiers who did not come home. The Last Post was played by Robert George and Angela Williamson led the crowd in the Australian National Anthem.

Anzac Day in Bowral was marked with a scaled back approach this year.

A small flag raising service at dawn replaced the traditional dawn service. Meanwhile a day service and march embraced the tradition of the Bowral service on a smaller scale.

Veterans, servicemen and woman, and one relative of a deceased veterans were able to march towards Bundaroo Street, to the cenotaph.

An impressive, although smaller than usual crowd, also gathered along the street and outside the fence line of the memorial park to pay their respects.

In Burrawang and Robertson, large crowds gathered for Anzac Day commemorations at the War Memorials in each town this morning.

At both events, Moss Vale High School captain Matthew Johnston expertly played the last post on the trumpet. setting a sombre and respectful tone, while the commemorations were led by the Rev Graham Thomas, from Robertson-Burrawang Anglican Church.

In Burrawang, John Symonds read the Ode of Remembrance and Burrawang Public School captains Harper McDonald and William Hayes raised the flag.

In Robertson, the ode was read by Katherine Wood, who has coordinated the event in the town for decades but is stepping aside from this year onwards. She encouraged members of the crowd who knew the words to join in as she recited it.

Wreaths were laid by members of the community, including representatives from the Hume Police, Scouts and Robertson Public School.

In Mittagong, hundreds of people gathered around the Clock Tower War Memorial. Reserved seats in front of the tower were filled, and the streets that were blocked off for the march were lined with members of the community. People also paid their respects from the balcony of the Mittagong Hotel. Everyone stood and applauded servicemen and women, who were led by bagpipes and the Australian Air League Southern Highlands Squadron.

Attendees watched the 'Missing Man' formation of five vintage planes fly above in salute for deceased and missing serving members. The New Zealand and Australian National Anthem were sung, and students from Frensham performed hymns and paid tribute.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: