Gulgong's Anzac Day commemorations once again remembered those who gave their lives in service of their country, along with two late locals including the town's last WWII veteran.
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In recent years Les Monks was at the front of the annual parade in the passenger seat of the leading Jeep.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1942, and as a gunner in the 2/2 Anti-Aircraft Regiment he served in New Guinea. Mr Monks was a founding member of the Gulgong RSL Sub-Branch and passed away in November last year.
His seat in the Jeep was occupied by his well-known hat.
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A portrait was at the ceremony to honour the memory of Fred Raymond, another member the Sub-Branch lost late last year.
He joined the Royal Australian Navy soon after arriving in Australia 1950 from his country of birth New Zealand, and served as a stoker on many ships during his 12-year naval career - service he loved along with being at sea.
"We, along with their families, mourn their passing and remember their service with pride and gratitude - may they rest in peace, lest we forget," Sub-Branch senior vice president, Peter Leotta, said during the tribute to the men during the ceremony.
The guest address was delivered by Muddy Waters of the New Zealand Navy, who recognised that as the years go by we lose more veterans but added that we can't forget about those still here - including those of more recent service - who need our support.
"We no longer have WWI veterans living among us; the last of the WWII veterans that so nobly fought to defend our countries and our values are slipping away; the ranks of veterans of more recent conflicts in Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam, are similarly thinning," he said.
"There are, however, many younger veterans from other conflicts who require and deserve our help and support.
"One of the best ways we can honour the memory and legacy of those who fought for us at Gallipoli and more recent conflicts is to respect and care for the veterans among us and to continue to uphold the values and beliefs which we Australians and New Zealanders hold dear."
