At dawn services across the country, stories of sacrifices and heartache were told.
The beat of the Narrabri Band drums echoed in the pre-dawn as Baan Baa residents and visitors gathered at the Baan Baa memorial.
A massive crowd gathered at the beautiful memorial to mark 110 years since Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars and conflicts and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.
Residents and visitors felt that it was the biggest yet with numbers surpassing last year with estimates of 400 to 450 people.
David Grover lead the service with Rev Nick Stone delivering the memorial address.
Rev Stone told the story of one local man, Captain LF Kemmis, and how he was gassed, had both legs amputated, nursed back to health by a volunteer nurse who he then married in England and then they moved to Willala when he drew a soldier’s settlement block.
Clare Wannan delivered the Prayer of Thanksgiving; Cameron McClung the Prayer for the King and the Prayer for the Nation was delivered by George Wannan.
At the conclusion of the dawn service Mr Grover thanked those present for being there to remember and invited everyone to view the honour rolls in the hall of those who enrolled from Baan Baa in both world wars, and national service 1951 to 1972.
After the service it was time to renew friendships and have a yarn over a community breakfast, generously provided by the pub.
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