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First World War soldiers were honoured during a packed Anzac Day dawn service at the Ballarat Cenotaph on Sturt Street on Tuesday morning.
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Hundreds of residents turned out for the event to remember Ballarat’s fallen soldiers despite the cold and wet conditions.
Australian Defence Force members from all three services led the ceremony with Ballarat veterans.
Parade Marshall Alan Douglass said it was a fitting memorial for the city’s soldiers who died in the First World War.
YOU CAN WATCH THE DAWN SERVICE HERE
“Ballarat lost so many soldiers in the First World War and they left a big whole in this city,” he said.
“It is so moving because it gives time to reflect on what our diggers went through – the hell they went through – as soldiers and nurses.”
There were people of all ages among the crowd, as children attended the ceremony with parents and grandparents.
Mr Douglass said it was good to see younger generations endure the cold weather to attend the 5.45am ceremony.
“Especially with the inclement weather so many people got out of bed so early to attend the service,” he said.
“I have even seen people with babies in arms at 5.15am to attend.”