Despite the threat of rain, Lismore turned out in large numbers at this morning's ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Lismore Cenotaph on Molesworth Street.

City of Lismore RSL sub-branch secretary Wilson McLelland led the service and started by welcoming the crowd just after 5am.

"Good morning, Lismore. On behalf of the sub-Branch and the veterans community of Lismore, I thank you very much for turning out this morning with the somewhat inclement weather," Mr McLelland said.

As if on cue, umbrellas started going up as proceedings continued and the rain came down. Not one of the 500-plus strong crowd was perturbed by the weather.

The catafalque party was then ordered to mount around the cenotaph, which was explained by Mr McLelland.

"A catafalque party is a guard of four service personnel who are posted at the four corners of the colour flag. A structure on which a coffin is drawn in a procession, and it is usually symbolised when located near a memorial by a raised platform. The catafalque party is posted facing outwards with rifles reversed to show that the dead are now at peace."

"Upon this day, ANZAC received a baptism of fire and became one of the immortal names in history. We who are gathered here, think of the comrades who went with us to the battlefields of the two Great Wars, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, and those involved in peacekeeping throughout the world who did not return.

"We feel them still near us in the spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice. Let us once more dedicate ourselves to the service of the deep ideals for which they died. As the dawn is even now about to finish, let their memory inspire us to work for the coming of a new life in the dark places of the world."

Dignitaries, including Member for Page Kevin Hogan and his wife Karen, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and Mayor of Lismore Steve Krieg, then laid wreaths on the cenotaph.

Reverand Alan Shaw led the crowd in three prayers before the piper played The Lament, and part of the immortal words of the Ode of Remembrance were spoken.

They were young, straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted.

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest We Forget

The Lismore High School Choir sang both the New Zealand and Australian national anthems.

The Main March starts at 9am from the Brown Creeks car park and makes its way along Molesworth Street to the cenotaph for a 10am service.

Further showers are expected, so take an umbrella or a raincoat.

An RAAF EA-18G Growler will fly over Lismore at 10:43am.