LARGER than average crowds at both the Scone Anzac Day dawn service, parade and ceremony have pleased organisers this year.
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Residents lined up on Kelly Street to pay their respects on the solemn day of remembrance of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli in 1915.
Scone RSL Sub-Branch president Val Quinell told The Advocate more than 600 people attended Thursday morning's service at dawn.
"We're extremely pleased, the numbers keep going up every year," he said.
"We think there's a few thousand here at the main service today."
Following a march on Kelly Street which included school children, emergency servicemen and women and many community groups, the official ceremony began with a Prayer of Thanksgiving.
On a warmer than average April morning, the mood was solemn as Rev Father Nguyen then recited A prayer of remembrance.
Representing Scone High School Phoebe Weatherley and Indyana Taylor continued the prayers with A Prayer For Our Nation.
Guest speaker Captain Harry Wagner from the Singleton School of Infantry said Anzac Day is a chance for two nations to remember the extraordinary bravery and dedication of the first Australian imperial force.
"To me, Anzac Day symbolizes more than a day of commemoration," he said.
"It speaks to the heart of Australia and our history."
With a noticeably high representation from local youth at the service, one of the features of the day included a beautiful performance by the the Scone Grammar School band and choir of 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda'.
The choir provided many hymns throughout the morning, as well as the Australian Anthem.
And of course, as in previous years, Razz Wilson proudly gave a chilling rendition of the New Zealand Anthem to conclude proceedings.