The Wauchope RSL Sub-branch president, Des Hancock prayed that everyone would live faithfully and bravely, and work together for peace.

“Led by the spirit of these immortal comrades, we seek the dawning of a better day in which persons of goodwill shall choose for themselves and for others, ways of service that are friendly and devoid of fear or oppression,” he said.

After the hymn ‘Abide With Me’ and a prayer for peace, the Wauchope High School captains, Owen McKittrick and Monique Copelin remembered the Anzacs who went through a baptism of fire to become one of the immortal names in history.

Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie said it was privilege to be asked to speak at the Dawn Service.

He said that during his travels around the world, people sometimes asked him why Australia has such a day to remember a campaign that wasn’t won.

“What we are doing as a nation is commemorating, not celebrating.  We honour the memory of the service of those who have served, some with the sacrifices of their lives,” he said.

“Lest we forget – so their sacrifice and service is not forgotten.  The death rate and the suffering was quite staggering.  We  honour not just the Anzacs, but all those who have followed in their footsteps,” said Dr Gillespie.

During the Anzac dedication, those who went out to the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars, conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and in peacekeeping operations were also remembered.

The bugler sounded the Last Post, the Ode was read, the bugler played Reveille and the crowd sang ‘Lead Kindly Light’.

Major Mick Brownlow read the Epilogue with the beautiful words:

“We see them as we knew them long ago – an immortal host untouched by time’s decay, who bridge the span of years and transport us back into the realms of yesterday.”

The crowd sang the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair and the service ended.