WHEN dawn breaks in Port Stephens on Saturday, record numbers of people are expected to pay their respects at memorials across the district to the men and women who fought for the nation - despite the wet weather forecast.
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As part of the commemorations, the Examiner has created a special online gallery that features Port residents and their connections to men and women who served our nation.
This special feature is available to view at portstephensexaminer.com.au.
Sub-branches across the Port and further afield to Tea Gardens, Dungog and Bulahdelah all expect greater numbers at Anzac Day services this year.
"Each year seems to get bigger and bigger," Raymond Terrace sub-branch president Jim Walker said.
"I think the centenary will make a difference this year."
The Raymond Terrace 11am service will run slightly longer this year as it will include a short talk on the history of Anzac.
Students from schools in the area will deliver speeches and prayers throughout the service.
Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch vice-president Tom Lupton said come "hell or high water" members will be marching this year.
"We made the decision that no matter the weather, we'll be marching," he said.
"We all got wet when we served so it doesn't matter if we get wet on Saturday."
Nelson Bay's dawn service will be extra special this year.
The centenary column that the sub-branch secured federal funding for to have installed in Apex Park was expected to be ready to dedicate at the service by padre Frank Duffy.
"This is something very unique and special," Mr Lupton said.
"We'll be marking Anzac Day how we've always done, with the same dignity and solemnity.
"The big difference will be the dedication of the column and our first march down to the park with the new cenotaph and commemorative column."
The Tilligerry Peninsula's main service will have a Maori influence this year with New Zealand visitors singing their nation's anthem, laying a wreath and performing the haka.
Salt Ash and Tanilba Bay public school students will sing the Australian anthem at the service.
Residents attending the main service who had or have a family member serving in the armed forces are encouraged to take a photograph to display on a stand next to the memorial.
Medowie RSL Sub-Branch president Ian Harding was expecting no fewer than 700 people to turn out to its dawn service.
Mr Harding said Saturday's 6am service will run "more or less" to the same format as previous year.
But it will be followed by a sausage sizzle in Memorial Park.
