Lismore showed its support for ANZAC Day when thousands turned out for the main march and commemoration at the Cenotaph this morning under clear blue skies.

The Lismore RSL Sub-Branch were very excited about the Dawn service turnout with an estimated one thousand plus and they were not disappointed later in the morning when a crowd of over three thousand lined Molesowrth Street for the main march then stayed for the ANZAC Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph.

The march started with the Lismore City Pipe Band who were performing for the first time since the end of 2019, followed by Veterans and Families Marching for Veterans.

There was a fantastic turnout among our local schools from all over the region, they included Clunes Public, Blakebrook Public, St Carthage's, Bexhill Public, Rosebank Public, Corndale Public, Tregeagel Public, Goonellabah Public, Lismore Heights Public, Wyrallah Road Public, Caniaba Public, Lismore Public, Modanville Public, Eltham Public, Albert Park Public, Lismore South Public, Trinity, Woodlawn and the three Rivers Secondary Colleges.

(Looking down Molesworth Street as local schools marched for ANZAC Day 2021)

Earlier in the day Vietnam Veteran Ken Jolley and fellow Veterans held their regular ANZAC Day ceremony at the North Lismore War Memorial.

(RAAF Veteran Bob Mowle, Vietnam Veteran Reverand Graeme Davis OAM CSM, Vietnam Veteran Ken Jolley OAM, Bernice Smith and Kyrra Hamilton, 13 from Lismore High at the North Lismore War memorial service)

This memorial is close to Ken Jolley's heart as it was the site where local troops departed Lismore for Brisbane on the old train line after camping at the showgrounds. It was first erected in 1926 before being moved to South Lismore, the Railway Station and thanks to Ken and the support of Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin it has been in the North Lismore spot (Bridge Street and Alexandra Parade) since 2017.

(Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin laying a wreath at the North Lismore War memorial)

(Vietnam Veteran Ken Jolley OAM laying his wreath at the North Lismore War Memorial at 8 o'clock this morning)

Below are photos from ANZAC Day 2021. A day that has made the Lismore RSL Sub-Branch members very proud of the city they live in. RSL President Daryl ?? said "I thought we would get a few today because of COVID last year but this is amazing."

Well done Lismore.

(Samantha Virtue sings the New Zealand National Anthem)

(Julie Youngberry sings the Australian National Anthem)