Held at the town’s war memorial overlooking Horseshoe Bay, the large crowd of early risers spilled down the hill as the ceremony began at 6am.

Piper Jesse Hardy of Quaama played a lament while four horsemen from the 7th Bemboka Light Horse Troop paraded towards the memorial and fell in.

Mr Hardy, who started learning the bagpipes from his grandfather 12 years ago, felt it was important to play at Anzac Day services to pay respect to those who served.

In his Anzac dedication, Bermagui RSL sub-branch president Neville Staehr said they were gathered there to “remember the ordinary men and women, inspired and motivated by a range of ideas and hopes”.

“In the Anzacs we commemorate something that points us beyond humanity – it gives us a glimpse of righteousness,” he said.

Mr Staehr then quoted Psalm 112 - “the righteousness shall be held in everlasting remembrance” - before questioning if all of the Anzacs would be remembered forever.

“Apart from the obituary notices most people and the majority of lives are ignored, and apart from a small circle of family and friends forgotten in time,” Mr Staehr said.

“If someone displays altruism, selflessness and compassion we will probably not notice their deeds.

“The righteous ought to be held in everlasting remembrance because they have something invaluable to share and wise counsel to impart.”

After the service, the crowd was invited back to the Bermagui Country Club for a “gunfire breakfast” before the main service started at 11am.