THE region’s residents showed their undying love and respect for those who’ve served in all wars with record crowds at Anzac Day services and marches.
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Tamworth had traffic jams at 6.30am after the dawn service, and again after the main march, with unparalleled numbers of people paying their respects on the centenary of the Gallipoli landings.
Peel St saw crowds clapping and waving veterans and ex-service personnel who marched, or were wheeled and driven down the street, along with serving personnel, thousands of school students and emergency services representatives. It is estimated there were 5000 school students marching, with Bourke St a sea of school uniforms as they formed-up for the event.
A highlight of the march was the flypast from pilots and students of the ADF Basic Flying Training School, first in a diamond formation with 16 aircraft, then they returned forming 1-0-0 with their aircraft to mark the 100 years since the Anzac landing.
Tamworth RSL Sub-branch president Bob Chapman said Anzac Day was a “brilliant day”.
He said Tamworth people seemed to just get involved in the commemorations.
“I was blown away by the show of respect we’ve had over the day,” Mr Chapman said.
Following the march, Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall was filled to capacity for the main commemoration service, featuring a New Zealand keynote speaker.
Retired army Captain David Lester spoke about the mateship between Australians and New Zealanders and his service in the Vietnam War shared by the nations.
Mr Lester served in 3rd Cavalry Regiment in the Vietnam, which was the last Anzac unit, as it had purely New Zealanders and Australians serving together.
“I was the last New Zealander in the last Anzac unit, so you could say I was the last New Zealand Anzac,” he said.
“It’s very important to recognise the relationship between New Zealand and Australia. Australia and Anzac Day means everything in New Zealand as well.”
To recognise the mateship between New Zealand and Australia, as a special touch at the RSL luncheon, Tamworth councillor Mark Rodda sang the New Zealand national anthem with Mr Lester joining in.
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said he could not believe the turnout for the dawn service, march and main service in the city.
“I think a lot of it is because of the approach the Australian government has taken with the big planned build-up,” he said.
“It’s also due to the work being done in schools.
“There’s been a steady build-up to Anzac Day, but I was blown away by the numbers.”
