About 500 people attended the dawn service, held at the town Honour Stone on Clyde Street.

Later crowds lined Orient Street to see Diggers and representatives from the defence forces, police, the Salvation Army, NSW Fire and Rescue and local school groups march to the morning service.

Guest of honour Captain Sarah Sharkey of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Batemans Bay RSL Sub-Branch president Brian Wheeler gave the salute as the march proceeded to the Honour Stone.

A massive crowd gathered for the service.

In his opening address, Mr Wheeler said the day was about remembering the sacrifice of men and women who served to preserve our way of life.

“Let us take strength and knowledge and hope that our sons and daughters will never forget the example set by their forebears,” he said.

“In an everyday life let us to carry on those traditions established in past wars and conflicts at such tragic cost.

“We think of every man woman and child, who, in those crucial years, died, so that the likes of freedom and humanity may continue to shine.”