Oberon RSL Sub Branch president Bill Wilcox estimated more than 400 people attended the service.

He said it was great to see the community honour the sacrifices of the men and women of Australia’s armed services.

Following the dawn service, more than 250 people attended a breakfast prepared by board members of the Oberon RSL Club. 

After the breakfast, locals and visitors assembled at the Oberon Council Chambers for the traditional march through Oberon’s main street to the RSL Sub Branch Memorial.

Marchers included veterans and family members, firefighters, Rural Fire Brigade members, SES personnel, school children, sporting groups and members of the Australian Ataturk Cultural Centre, who all laid wreaths.

Mr Wilcox said organisers were delighted with the big crowd and especially with how many children attended the dawn service and march.

“Anzac Day attendance numbers continue to grow and more young people are honouring and acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice of members of Australia’s armed services – past and present,” he said.

Highlights of the 11am commemoration service at the RSL Club included addresses by Captain Anthony Raynor of the Royal Australian Navy and the president of the Australian Ataturk Cultural Centre, Omer Cam Sirikai.

Both speakers enthralled the audience with tales of war and the landing at Gallipoli.

Mr Sirikai stressed the importance of healing after the loss of Australians and Turks on the shores of Gallipoli many years ago.

“It’s important to unite in this multicultural Australia we live in now and the secret is to teach our children the importance of peace and acceptance,” he said.

The commemoration service included prayers and songs led by Oberon’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year Ian Gordon.