The biggest crowds in more than two years attended dawn and morning Anzac services in Warragul yesterday.
In total more than 1000 people attended the services at the cenotaph, the first fully open to the public since the pandemic.
Warragul RSL president Ben Vahland emphasised the significance of World War I service by asking the crowd to raise their hand if they were or had a family member who was aged between 19 and 38, single and over 5'6" meeting the criteria for service.
He asked everyone to look around them and understand the effect of war on individuals, families and the community.
Mr Vahland read a poem written by private Joseph Smith, an Allambee farmer, who enlisted in World War I and returned after suffering gunshot wounds to his arm.
In all wars some pay the ultimate sacrifice while others return to fight battles within, he said. "I hope there will be a raft of changes come from the Royal Commission to address this, Mr Vahland said.
Seventy six men from the Baw Baw Shire died in World War I.
Former Warragul resident Alan Mildren reminded the crowd that Anzac Day was a time to pay respects to all veterans who served in all wars.
He spoke about his three great uncles from Corryong who served in World War I, paying the ultimate sacrifice.
Royal Australian Infantry staff office from Puckapunyal Major Nathan Dubbeld, a former Warragul Primary and High School student, spoke about visiting war graves across the world and way they had been maintained out of respect for those who had died. Continued p24
He spoke about the values born from the Anzacs including loyalty selflessness and courage.
"I thank current and past defence personnel for their service and I thank this community for its support," he said.
Warragul Regional College student Isabella Whelan read the Anzac Requiem and Warragul Municipal Band member Nathanial Jackson played the Last Post and Reveille.
The service was preceded by a march of veterans, Scouts Guides and first responders led by Warragul Municipal Band.

Drouin
Drouin's Anzac Day Service put young people in the spotlight this year.
After a march attended by RSL members, community groups, schools, and emergency services a crowd gathered respectfully around the cenotaph to commemorate those who have fought for Australia and New Zealand.
Drouin RSL president Rod McNab opened the service. He spoke passionately about the importance of preserving the Drouin RSL and the continuation of Anzac Day for future generations.
Mr McNab said young people would play a key part in continuing Anzac Day events and traditions, before handing the reins over to four college captains from Drouin Secondary College.

The students talked about the importance of Anzac Day, and college captain Ava-Grace Forbes read the Ode of Remembrance.
Ava-Grace said Mr McNab spent time meeting with the students in the lead-up to the service.
"I am so humbled and honoured to be able to recite the ode this year," she said.
"We had some meetings with Rod...it was really great to listen to his stories and what he had to say - we have to keep this going."
Mr McNab said he was "incredibly proud" and wanted the Drouin service to become even more inclusive, bringing in different community groups to the service. The Baw Baw Singers group performed the national anthem and many people came forward to lay wreaths before the service concluded.
Baw Baw Shire deputy mayor Annemarie McCabe said the "service was a good time to reflect on what those who have fought in the wars have done for us as a society."
"I think Drouin Secondary College have done a fantastic job, as a former school council president I was so proud of Ava and the team today. They did a fantastic job.
"I think it was wonderful to bring that young aspect to the commemoration."
The service was attended by many veterans and their families, community groups, schools, and emergency services personnel.

Trafalgar
More than 200 people turned out for Trafalgar's biggest ever dawn service ahead of hundreds gathering for the march and service later in the morning.
Trafalgar-Thorpdale RSL sub-branch president Jim Crowe led the service. He said it was 107 years since young Australian and New Zealand service men landed on the beach at Gallipoli - "the birthplace of the Anzacs and the spirit of Anzac that is very much with us today."
Mr Crowe said Anzac day was about remembering the men and women who "served, suffered and died for our country in war and in peace."

Sub-branch secretary Chris Johnson continued the tradition of honouring the soldiers engraved on the cenotaph. He spoke about sergeant Albert Kenny who enlisted in 1915 and died in 1916.
A letter home to Sgt Kenny's family said he was one of the "best boys in his detachment" - he had just gone off duty and retired for a rest when his shelter was attacked. He was buried with full military honours.
The record crowd attending the Trafalgar dawn service enjoyed a gunfire breakfast served by Trafalgar Lions.