Hundreds lined Gaskill Street to watch the annual march before slowing and quietly making their way to Memorial Park on a very warm and still Anzac Day morning.

Mr Harrison, who was also the master of ceremonies, spoke about the purpose of Anzac Day.

“We are assembled here to commemorate that immortal day when the young men of Australia by their deeds and sacrifice demonstrated to the world at Gallipoli that Australia was truly a nation,” Mr Harrison said.

Wing Commander Peter Hall recounted the first landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli 103 years ago. 

“Sixteen thousand Australians and New Zealanders surged ashore at the foot of the rugged hills at the Dardanelles Peninsula on that first Anzac Day,” Wing Commander Peter Hall said.

“In the eight months that followed some 50,000 Anzacs were committed to the battlefront. When the last of them were withdrawn as winter set in, about 11,000 New Zealanders and Australians lay dead and with them more allied and Turkish soldiers.

“From the Canowindra area 247 young men volunteered and travelled to the other side of the world to be a part of this great adventure not realising the horrors and sacrifices that would rob them of their youth. Of the 247 from this district 61 young men paid the ultimate sacrifice. But in those terrible battles young Australians earned a reputation for courage, self reliance and mateship.

“The experience drew Australians together as a nation and established the national character. The standards they set and the Anzac spirit have been handed down ever since to all Australians.”

He also acknowledged all current and former members of the defence force identifying them as "the brave men and women who help represent our country on a daily basis”.

“No Australian is left untouched when a member of our defence force is killed in action,” Mr Hall said.

“The Anzacs showed us we have the ability to face challenges together and overcome them. To put community before self, to be courageous, determined, self reliant and strong.

“We should be proud of our heritage, we should be proud of the way we band together in adversity during ravages of fire, flood and famine.

“Strangers giving strangers a hand, a lift up. This is the spirit of Anzac, this is the spirit we must pass on to the next generation.”

Many people took part in the wreath laying before the bugle sounded for the playing of the Last Post and Reveille, then the national anthem.

Mr Harrison said it was a “beautiful service”.