The ANZAC spirit was alive in North Lismore and the Lismore CBD today as thousands turned out to remember those that have served in our armed forces and especially those 102,000 that have paid the ultimate price in fighting to defend our nation and for our continued freedom and peace.

Following on from a record crowd at this morning's Dawn Service (Commemorations underway for ANZAC Day 2023) at the Cenotaph, large crowds lined Molesworth Street as veterans, servicemen, relatives of veterans, nurses and schools marched their way from Browns Creek car park to the Cenotaph for the main service led by the Lismore City Pipe Band as always.

NORTH LISMORE WAR MEMORIAL

Each ANZAC Day at 8am, Vietnam Veteran and popular local Ken Jolley holds a short commemoration at the North Lismore War Memorial on Alexandra Parade. As Ken says, "I'm very proud of this memorial. It's my pride and joy."

"This is a special place for our World War 1 diggers. They came from all around the rivers as recruits and camped in the Lismore Showground," Ken explained to the small group gathered in North Lismore which included Federal MP Kevin Hogan and State Member Janelle Saffin.

"The train station was to my right (on the embankment behind the memorial), they boarded trains from there and went to Brisbane for training and then to the battlefields of Europe."

Ken went on to mention that the North Lismore Memorial has 145 names displayed, however, there are another 23 names that were never put on because the next of kin didn't get in touch with council in time back in 1926.

Ken did mention that next year, all the names on the memorial will include where each person was born and where they were killed.

(State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin lays her wreath with Member for Page Kevin Hogan and his wife Karen waiting their turn at the North Lismore War Memorial)

LISMORE CBD CENOTAPH

President of the Lismore City Sub-Branch Ken Arnett led the service proceedings following the 9am Main March down Molesworth Street.

Although a short shower passed over proceedings, it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of Lismore residents wanting to pay their respects.

"I was delighted to see the turnout today at the Dawn Service. I haven't seen a crowd that big for many years. For the North Lismore service, we had a good little turnout over there, that's only a small little cameo. But then we came to this Main Service and I was overwhelmed with the number of people."

"I'm delighted to see all those school children, the schools support us bringing them out and the public, it's the biggest I've seen for a long, long time which is great. It's Lismore on the road to recovery."

"This demonstrates people's respect for ex-servicemen and we appreciate it. They've come along, and I think they genuinely appreciate that these people see all the ribbons and medals and stuff that represent hard work and sacrifice."

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Healey of the 41st Batallion Royal NSW Regiment spoke not only of the wars that the Australian Armed Services now serve their country but also through the increasing number of natural disasters.

"There appears to be an increasing propensity for severe weather events and the possibility of severe drought. ANZAC Day requires us to reflect on the past with pride but also to look ahead built on the achievements of our predecessors. They display the characteristics of the ANZAC spirit from mateship, selflessness, courage and tenacity of spirit we can enrich the Australian tradition and successfully meet these challenges."

"The ANZAC spirit exists in each of us so, therefore, let us be guided by the ANZAC spirit in facing the natural and personal challenges ahead and let us strive to be worthy of the memories of those that we honour today and as always."

"Lest we forget."