"Anzac Day is a time people come together to remember those who have fallen and I was moved by the number of people at the services this year," says mayor Neil Volzke.
Record numbers attended Anzac Day services throughout the district on Saturday morning to mark the centennial anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Neil says there were over 2000 people at the Stratford dawn ceremony, adding it was the highest attendance he had ever seen. Neil says it was a particularly special service as attendees heard from retired Brigadier the honourable Justice Tim Brewer, who read a letter his grandfather wrote about his time at the battle of Chunuk Blair.
Anzac parades in Eltham, Kaponga and Stratford were a highlight for all ages with an array of army vehicles and tanks driving behind the returned service man, RSA members and community groups.
Following the Stratford parade at the civic service guest speaker, past mayor of Stratford, David Walter spoke about Stratford in 1914 when the news of war reached the close knit community. "People took to Broadway singing patriotic songs in street." David says this was a strong contrast to Stratford's first Anzac service, "when the traffic and town came to a complete stand still for five full minutes of silence".
