Bega RSL sub-branch held the service to commemorate service personnel who fought, died, and survived the conflicts that shaped Australia as a nation.

Emcee John Walkin opened the proceedings by welcoming the 40 or so attendees including those who had served in wars past and their family members, students, and members of the public.

The Prayer of Remembrance was read by Bega High student Hannah Collett and The Ode was read by Bega RSL sub-branch president Gary Berman.

After the formal proceedings of the service including the laying of wreaths, The Last Post, Reveille and The Australian Anthem, some people dispersed, but others remained to gather and chat.

Of those in attendance included Marion Brunning whose late husband was a Vietnam War veteran.

She spoke of the impact of the wars on the mental health of returned servicemen and their families, especially their wives who had to also be their "psychologists".

There was very little funding available and she said without physical symptoms there was no proper acknowledgement of the mental health challenges of those men who had returned from battle.

She said the impact of the wars was particularly difficult on the children on returned servicemen who may have looked well on the outside, but were very unwell on the inside.

Servicemen Brian Cairns and Rocky Macalister also attended the Bega service.

Mr Macalister said the day brought back memories of his service in the Vietnam War and that his present was still very much informed by those painful past experiences.

Glenn Cotter attended in memory of his brother who served two tours and was there as a representative for the advocacy for the mental health of returned service personnel.

His jacket showed an array of patches which were in memory of those who served and suffered, especially those who fought and served in Vietnam.

He said as someone who works in the sphere of mental health, it was very important for him to show his respect at the service.