Under a veil of misty darkness around 600 people descended on the Tathra War Memorial on Thursday morning.
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Rex Kermode emceed the dawn service where the masses gathered to pay tribute to those who had sacrificed everything in the name of Australia.
Allen Williams opened the ceremony with a touching tribute to the original ANZACs and their landing at Gallipoli more than 100 years ago.
The Mr Kermode presented a history of The Last Post before the crowd hushed for a rendition of the iconic tune played by bugler John Winson as the Australian flag was raised.
Wreathes were laid with Councillor Liz Seckold laying a wreath on behalf of the Bega Valley Shire Council.
The massed crowd looked to the east for the sunrise, which was unfortunately marred by some remaining cloud, but Mr Kermode said it had been "many years" since the sun rose at the exact right time.
Tathra local Mick Atwell spoke at length about the involvement of Indigenous service people and paid particular tribute to the Aboriginal communities of the Far South Coast.
He told the history of the community of Blackfella's Lake near Kalaru, which had been used as a staging ground to tame wild horses for use in the service during the Boer War and World War I.
Mr Kermode then thanked everyone for their attendance.
A further service was to be held at 9.45am.