Fine weather and increased community participation in the mid-morning Raymond Terrace Anzac Day service is believed to have been key to the event experiencing one of its largest turnouts on Thursday.
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An estimated 1000 to 1200 people - from diggers and their families, serving Defence personnel, emergency services, school children, a band and members of the public - either took part in or watched the march through the Raymond Terrace CBD on Thursday morning before settling in and around Anzac Park where the war memorial is located for the main service.
"It's was a great turnout," Raymond Terrace RSL Sub-Branch president Vic Jones RAR.
"It's really great to see the response we're getting from the community.
"I think the local focus in the service is really helping to keep people interested.
"And the local kids' involvement is increasing, which is really great."
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About 80 students from seven schools turned out for the main Anzac Day service. Additionally, a strong contingent of about 30 cadets, and 20 Raymond Terrace Soccer Club players marched and formed part of the service.
Raymond Terrace Public School donated a number of benches that the students could sit on infront of the memorial for the duration of the service.
Students formed a major part of the service itself.
Irrawang High School captains Samantha Newell and Ryan Knowles emceed the first half of the service, delivering the prologue and introducing follow student speakers to the microphone.
Angus Fellows from Raymond Terrace Public School delivered the Prayer for Servicemen and Women, Holly Smith and Saxon Sneddon from St Brigid's Primary School said the Prayer of Thanksgiving, Phoebe Low and Will Swan from Irrawang Public School read the Taking a Stand poem while Evan Flippence and Michiko Verluis from Grahamstown Public School said the Prayer for the Nation.
Hunter River High School captains Megan Snow and Dylan Eb delivered the Commemoration Address on the theme of Anzac.
Another interesting aspect to the service is the historical research that goes into putting a story to one of the 113 names on the Raymond Terrace war memorial.
For the past three years during Anzac and Remembrance Day services the sub-branch has highlighted the history of a soldier listed on the memorial.
Mr Jones said this was to help members of the public better connect with the history of the town and the people from it that have fought in wars since 1914.
A photo of the soldier is displayed alongside two pages worth of words on their history and, where possible, there medals.
At the dawn service, Major Edward Windeyer's history was shared with those in attendance.
During the mid-morning service, Brigadier General Dr J.B. Meredith - commanding officer of the 1st Australian Light Horse Regiments and OC of the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade - was the soldier in the spotlight.
Dr Meredith's family was in the crowd as Mr Jones spoke about his achievements on returning home from the war. He was a doctor in the area for 55 years and a councillor for 53 years.
"But interestingly, there's not even one rock named after him," John Meredith said.
Mr Meredith, who served in the RAAF for 33 years, is Dr Meredith's grandson.
Incidentally, it is Mr Meredith, a Raymond Terrace RSL Sub-Branch member, who researches the names on the war memorial for display during services.
"It was fabulous to hear his story told in front of everyone," Mr Meredith said. "If you read about him, he's a really interesting hero from Raymond Terrace."
Mr Meredith was joined at the service by his daughter, Eliza Meredith, niece Rachael O'Brien and her two sons Oliver, 7, and Dougal, 4.
In another touching section of Terrace service, school children that laid wreaths were accompanied by a Raymond Terrace RSL Sub-Branch member.
Also involved in Thursday's Terrace mid-morning service was The Salvation Army Hope Community Choir, Irrawang High School's Drum Corps, Father Stephen Niland (The Lord's Prayer) and Pastor Shane Hanley.
Kylee Beasley was the bugler and Ron Baillie the piper.