Attendances at all the services were not just the best ever, they were far and away above all previous commemorations.

Some residents estimated the crowd at the Dawn Service to be at least 2000, which may be a slightly inflated figure, but there is no doubt it was by far the biggest ever.

The early morning attendees packed all around the monument on Memorial Hill for the ceremony.

Then the largest number of marchers for many, many years took part in the annual march past, watched also by the biggest crowd in years.

But it was in Cooke Park for the commemoration ceremony that residents turned out in record numbers.

Secretary of the Parkes RSL Sub-branch, Terry Knowles said that a count indicated at least 2000 people were present.

“We were overwhelmed by the level of support at all events,” he said.

“It was wonderful to see so many people come out and pay their respects.”

In Bogan Gate, there was a similar turnout.  

Normally the Dawn Service attracts about 250 people - on Saturday there were more than 700!

The Cooke Park commemoration proved a deeply moving occasion, with guest speaker, Commodore Elizabeth Rushbrook deliving the principal address, and Rebeckah Auld the Address by Modern Youth.

“Moving among them, one could see a look of determination in every man’s face. They were very silent. Many offered prayers that night. All were anxious as to how they would behave on the morrow. They knew that the reputation of Australia was in their hands. It was a solemn voyage.” 

Commodore Rushbrook spoke of the landing at Gallipoli 100 years ago, describing the troops as ‘the bravest of young men.

“They almost all were very inexperienced soldiers, attempting the most difficult of operations, an amphibious landing against a well defended coast. 

“The loss of life and casualties suffered at Gallipoli had no parallel in the history of Australia and New Zealand at that time.”