Port Macquarie residents have turned out in their droves to attend Wednesday’s traditional Anzac Day March Service.
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The bumper crowd continued the strong support shown to the RSL Sub-branch earlier in the day at the Dawn Service, said president Greg Laird OAM.
"I was really pleased with the support at the Dawn Service, but the March Service has also worked out very well," he said.
"Actually, we could have done with a bit of rain to cool things down a bit.
"But the support was wonderful, there was a big, big crowd.
"The schools were very well represented, and that is a very big positive for how we handle our services."
Mr Laird praised the support from various organisations to ensure the Anzac Day services ran smoothly, including the police, Fire & Rescue NSW and SES.
But he reserved his biggest thanks for guest speaker, St Josephs Regional College school captain Elizabeth Pike.
"She was wonderful," he said. "I could not fault her speech; she was marvellous.
"Also, Blake O'Connor who performed the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia was just great too.
"Their efforts helped make the service spectacular."
There is an Anzac spirit and we all must ensure that that is maintained
- ELizabeth Pike
Elizabeth's speech centred on the continuing spirit of the Anzac legend and also called on future generations to continue the tradition.
"There is an Anzac spirit and we all must ensure that that is maintained," she said.
"Today reminds us of the debilitating loss of life and the horrific nature of war, so that we can cherish and defend, at all costs, the peace, freedom and justice we have today."
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We can achieve this because of the ultimate sacrifices the Anzacs made on our behalf, she said.
"That Anzac spirit is still on display today in our battles across the world.
"And like our Anzac spirit we will face any future battles together. And in times of difficulty that same Anzac spirit will shine through."
She said it was difficult to appreciate that Australia was just 13 years old when war broke out.
"We are a nation born in a baptism of gunfire," she said.
Elizabeth said she was honoured to address the service and 'it is something I will treasure for the rest of my life'.