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ON the night before they were to charge the beach at Gallipoli 100 years ago, the young soldiers from Australia sat silently, determined to help shape the destiny of their nation as they waited – some praying, others softly singing hymns.
The scenario was painted by Captain Jacqui King from Navy Strategic Command, who was guest speaker at the Anzac Day march and service in Milton.
As thousands of people attended the moving commemoration, there was a strong focus on the experiences of those first ANZACS as they faced overwhelming odds battling against the entrenched Turkish fighters in the cliffs above the beach.
“These innocent, brave young soldiers transformed into gallant young men, dedicated to King and country,” said Reverend Ross Maltman as he delivered an oration at the service.
The courage, determination and character of the young soldiers was honoured by other speakers and by many who laid wreaths at the cenotaph.
Many organisations and individuals laid floral tributes, including Seminur O’Kelly of Batemans Bay, and formerly of Nowra, who laid a wreath of behalf of the Turkish community.
The woman who was born in Anatolia in central Turkey and raised in Izmir before moving to Australia at age 21 said it was “a fantastic honour” to be asked to represent the Turkish community.
There were also wreaths laid on behalf of the Aboriginal community and in remembrance of Aboriginal service personnel, along with wreaths of behalf of all local schools, emergency services and many organisations.
Thousands of people crammed into Anzac Park for the service, and they were surrounded by gardens full of poppies knitted and made by local residents and arranged by personnel from Milton Public School.
Students also drew poppies on paths around the park.
Milton Ulladulla RSL Sub-branch president Paul Warren was ecstatic with the number of people attending the service.
“It’s absolutely spectacular,” he said.
“We’ve never had such a large crowd at either the dawn service of the service here.”