A large crowd gathered at Maitland Park on Thursday morning for the annual Anzac Day dawn service.
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Hosted by the Maitland RSL Sub-Branch, the event received strong support from the community.
Maitland RSL Sub-Branch president and chaplain Eric Bell told those present he believed there was a larger crowd than last year.
Flt Lt Nathan McKeon from 2Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Williamtown presented the Anzac Address.
"We are gathered here this morning, not to glorify war, but to reflect on where we as a nation have come from, and the price paid to become the united society we are now," he said.
"When the men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps withdrew from the Gallipoli peninsula at the end of 1915, over 8000 Australians had died. That is the equivalent of one-tenth of the population of Maitland.
"We mourn the losses, but are grateful for the unity and identity forged there on the beaches of Gallipoli.
"Unity was not the only trait demonstrated by those brave men. They typified what it meant to be Australian.
"They were selfless, placing the cause above that of their own lives; courageous, charging the beachfront under heavy fire.
"We also see their hope; hope that the flag under which they fought would always stand for what is honourable and what is right."
Maitland residents will have another chance to commemorate Anzac Day with a march to Maitland Park Cenotaph at 10.15am, followed by a 10.55am service at the cenotaph.
Watch the wreath laying at the Maitland Park dawn service