With rain during the night everything looked fresh and clean as the community began to congregate at the Memorial for the early morning service.

Standing amongst the crowd of about 50 people as the Dawn Service began, the hairs come up on the back of your neck and you realized that you are about to witness an amazing event that reaches so many people, a wonderful tribute to our fallen and current serving service personnel.

Prayers were said and the Australian flag was lowered as a mark of respect for the fallen and the Last Post was played.

After the Service the community was invited to go into the Memorial and enjoy a barbecue, coffee or tea and a chat.

At 11am, it was time for the parade down Marsden Street to begin.

It began with a solitary ex-serviceman carrying the Australian flag and he was then followed by the Boorowa Drum Band and a colour party of local cadets, veterans and current serving personnel. Children wearing their relative’s medals marched down a crowded main street followed by local school children, fire ambulance and police personnel.

A moving service with tributes paid to all those who had fallen in the service of all countries in wars and those still serving was conducted at the Anzac Memorial.

Wreaths were laid by Mayor Wendy Tuckerman, local returned servicemen and representatives of Boorowa Central School, Rye Park Primary School and St Joseph’s School.

At the conclusion of the formal service, Veterans mixed with members of the community sharing past memories.

A luncheon was held at the Ex-Services Club for ex-servicemen and current serving personnel.

This was followed by the annual game of Two-Up.