GREAT Lakes residents would not be without choice in how they marked the Anzac centenary with sub-branches and organising committees across the region each offering something special this year.
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The Dungog RSL Sub-Branch kicked off its centenary commemorations last Saturday with a rededication of the cenotaph.
As part of its centenary plans, the sub-branch relocated a missing World War I German Krupp gun and had it reinstated at the cenotaph.
The sub-branch would have a 5.30am dawn service in Dungog before heading out to the town’s cemetery for a small ceremony at the WWI graves.
The contingent would then travel to Stroud for a memorial service before heading back to Dungog for the march and service at the cenotaph.
One more service, at the bowling club memorial gates, would be held before lunch.
There would be a Anzac display in the old baby health centre between 10am and 4pm until April 27.
Clarence Town’s Anzac Day organising committee was expecting a great turnout to its dawn service march, which annually attracts up to 800 people.
This year’s march, which would go ahead rain, hail or shine, would include a drum band, a piper and a replica Simpson and his donkey.
About 30 ex-servicemen would march as would school children and Scouts.
Following the service all were invited back to the bowling club for breakfast.
Children would receive biscuits and a hot Milo.
Throughout the day there would be barefoot bowls, two-up and a sausage sizzle.
Karuah RSL Sub-Branch kicked off its Anzac commemorations with a community dinner on April 18.
On Saturday, members of the community would be able to grab hold of a copy of the sub-branch’s centenary project, a booklet featuring the stories of the men from Karuah who enlisted to fight in WWI.
Karuah’s dawn service march will start from Tony King’s garage on the old Pacific Highway for a 6am start in Memorial Park.
After breakfast at the RSL a memorial service will be held at 9am.
Bulahdelah’s dawn and main service would be held at the Meade Street memorial.
This year’s march would start at the newly restored Bulahdelah Showground memorial gates.
Throughout the day the Bulahdelah War Memorial Trust Hall and school for performing arts would be open to the public to view an Anzac exhibition.
The Australian War Memorial’s digital exhibition A Camera on Gallipoli, featuring World War I photographs taken by Sir Charles Ryan, would be on show.
While serving with the Australian Imperial Force in Turkey in 1915 Mr Ryan took 39 candid shots, which is what will be on exhibition until April 27.
Additionally, a book featuring the 72 WWI soldiers that were from, enlisted at or had next of kin living in Bulahdelah would be available to buy.
