It was a day to pause, remember and reflect on the cost of freedom as hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to the service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrificen during wars both past and present.
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The Anzac spirit was alive and well in Moree as record crowds attended both the dawn and main services on Tuesday.
About 300 people gathered at Moree Services Club before the sun rose for a moving dawn service, while a smaller crowd of 40 stayed on for the Max Wales Memorial Service at 9am.
Thousands then flocked to the main street to watch on as diggers, emergency services personnel, community groups, school children and the Moree town and pipe bands marched down Balo Street to Moree Memorial Hall where between 1500 and 2000 people gathered for the main service.
“Attendance was bigger than last year, which was bigger than the year before,” Moree RSL sub-branch vice president Roger Butler said.
“In particular, the number of young people participating has significantly increased.”
This year’s main service was longer than usual as 98 crosses were laid by Moree Scouts and Girl Guides to honour the 98 Moree diggers who were killed in 1917 during World War I.
“Although the main service was longer it was appropriate that we recognise the 98 Moree diggers who died in 1917,” Mr Butler said.
“Considering Moree’s per head of population at the time, that number exceeds any other place in Australia.”
Mr Butler said the singing of the Moree Community Choir and the performances by both Moree Town Band and Moree Pipe Band throughout the day was a highlight.
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