Encouraged by the mild conditions, thousands of Ballarat residents were out of bed before the sun this morning to attend the city’s Anzac Day dawn service at the Sturt Street cenotaph.
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White crosses covered the ground in Sturt Street’s median strip, signifying those from the area who have served in conflict.
The service paid particular tribute to those who fought in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, which began exactly 100 years and one day before Wednesday’s service.
You can watch the entire dawn service here (this might take a couple of moments to load).
The battle which was won by the Allied Forces on April 25 1918 featured the Australian 13th, 14th and 15th brigades.
Following the service more than 500 people made their way to the Midlands Golf Club for the RSL’s annual Gunfire Breakfast.
Ballarat RSL president Alan Douglass said estimates from police put the crowd at well over 4000 for the short morning service.
“It was very pleasing to see the amount of young people there, because that seems to be just getting stronger and stronger.
“We’ve got an education team which goes around to each of the schools. The kids are very interested and you can see that on days like today.”
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