Residents gathered at John McInnes to pay tribute to past and present servicemen and women. 

The service was led by Coleambally Darlington Point RSL sub-branch member Ken Martin, who started the service. 

He says the significance of the dawn service goes back many years. 

“It has it’s significance in army days and right up until this day even, where dawn was the favoured time for the enemy to attack, so we were normally up early and ready for anything that may come at us,” he said. 

“The service honours that time frame and it just continues.”

Thankfully, there was no sign of the rain that cancelled the annual Anzac march last year. 

Few know the true meaning of service more than Mr Martin, a second generation veteran. He was conscripted to fight in the Vietnam War at age 20. 

His father before him served in World War II and his son is also in the army. 

Mr Martin recited a poem that touched on the quiet lives often led by soldiers after the war. 

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He says Anzac Day is a good way to start honouring their service and sacrifice. He feels Australia has a “way to go” in terms of caring for and recognising its veterans. 

“I don’t think the general public appreciate it as much as they should,” he said. 

“We should take the opportunity to be thankful for what our forces do for us, and say thank-you to them.” 

Coleambally and Darlington Point will continue to commemorate Anzac Day with a March kicking off at the Coleambally Community Hall at 10:45am.