Upper Hunter residents can stand proud as astounding crowds turned out at dawn services in Scone, Aberdeen, Murrurundi and Merriwa with people filling the streets to start ANZAC day off in style. 

Equally as impressive crowds took part in the marches and services that took place across the shire to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC tradition. 

As people stood at dawn services, school children up bright and early to take part in the important day, elderly residents making the special effort, they remembered the sacrifice made by those some 100 years ago. 

They closed their eyes and tried to imagine what it was like, but the sacrifice was like no other and even when the fighter jets roared across the crowd at the Scone service, the enormity of the event could never be underestimated. 

A special highlight of the Scone dawn service was the extracts that were read, sent home by the local students who are currently visiting Gallipoli on the ANZAC Centenary tour supported by the Hunter Valley RSL Sub-branch (see separate story on page 17). 

After all the wreaths were laid, hymns sang and readings read, the Ode of Remembrance was recited and the Last Post sounded before residents took a moment to reflect.

Scone RSL Sub-branch president Val Quinell said it was so marvellous to see so many young children make the effort and come out and                commemorate the ANZACs.

He said he was really happy with the day with the great weather, and the numbers that turned out were just fantastic.

“I think at the dawn service we would have had to have been nudging about 1000 people and there were several thousand at the main service, all I could see was a sea of faces,” he said. 

Mr Quinell said a highlight of the main service was the presentation given by Scone RSL Sub-branch member and ex-federal police officer Tim Egan who spoke on the history of what goes on behind the scenes.