A huge number of people gathered on Anzac Day in Glen Innes to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landings.
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An estimated crowd of more than 2000 people lined the streets of the town for the march and filled Anzac park for the service afterwards to pay their respects to diggers from all conflicts.
Mayor Colin Price remarked at the size of the turnout.
“Glen Innes people have come in their numbers today”, he said.
“The town looked beautiful from up on the hill for the dawn service today and as the people have acknowledged by their numbers, this is a special Anzac Day.”
The Parade was led by Barry Newberry in full World War II Light Horse uniform and servicemen and women form across many conflicts were represented.
School children from all Glen Innes schools also marched to pay their respects.
Glen Innes RSL Sub-Branch president Gordon Taylor paid tribute to the sacrifice made by ANZAC’S in Gallipoli and World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Today we commemorate that immortal day when young men of Australia, by their deeds and sacrifice, demonstrated to the world at Gallipoli that Australia was truly a nation,” he said.
“We nurture too, the obligation of showing gratitude for the peace we enjoy and ensure that the freedom so costly won is not lost by our own indifference.”
Glen Innes High School captains Patrick Lane and Hannah Newsome also made poignant speeches of commemoration rather than celebration, which echoed the thoughts of many today.
