The town, and region, began to pay its respects to our fallen soldiers and heroes with a dawn service at 5.45am at the cenotaph, and then the march was held from 10.30am.

Crowds began to build for the procession before 10am, with many turning out with cameras and smart phones to take photos of loved ones.

The march took just over 15 minutes to clear Market Street, with veterans, family, current soldiers and school children all forming the march.

At 11am the service began at the Robertson Park rotunda, opening with anthems before Geoff Robinson, president of the Mudgee RSL Sub-Branch, directed affairs.

Colonel Jim Burns then presented the guest speaker address, sharing stories and a message that the Anzac spirit shares.

“At 0430 precisely, the first line of the 8^th Light Horse leaped from their trenches at the Nek,” Col Burns opened his speech.

“As their heads cleared the parapet, an awful fire broke upon them. Many were shot immediately, but a line started forward. It crumpled, and vanished within five metres.

“One or two men on the flanks dashed to the enemy’s parapets before falling down. The rest lay where they were, dying or wounded in the open.”

It was the words of William "Bill" Gammage that Col Burns shared with the gathered crowd at Robertson Park, and he identified the ideals of Anzac shown in the Battle of the Nek.

“As we reflect on the central spirit of our nation’s begins, I cannot help but think of that spirit of Anzac, with its qualities of courage, mate-ship and sacrifice, forged in battle and paid for with the lives of young Australians at Gallipoli,” Col Burns said.

“Let us remember and acknowledge those men and women that have carried the spirit of Anzac and given their all for the values we hold so dearly.

“Let their examples let us be better than we otherwise would be.”

After Colonel Burns’ address of the assembled crowd, the prayers for peace, unity and the armed forces were said.

The Call of Commemoration led into the acts of remembrance at the memorial, where nearly a hundred family and friends lay wreaths and flowers at the base of the cenotaph.

The Ode was read, and the Last Post was sounded before a minutes silence held by all, ending the ceremony.