A LARGE crowd gathered to honour Anzac Day in Willaura Thursday morning.
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Over 50 people attended the dawn service to pay their respects to the fallen, and then enjoyed a gunfire breakfast provided by the Lions Club of Willaura.
At 9am the Catafalque Party, made up of reservists from the Ballarat Ranger Barracks performed the Stand To at the cenotaph, the Ode was recited, and a minute of silence was observed before the Last Post and Rouse sounded.
Willaura primary School children read the names of the fallen and a number of wreaths were laid.
The Hamilton Pipe Band lead the crowd to the Willaura Memorial Hall, where over 150 people attended a service.
Guest speaker Steve Shannon addressed the crowd and spoke about the importance of remembering and observing Anzac Day, and the debt owed to those who sacrificed everything for our current freedoms.
One of the organisers, Heather Fleming, said the service was touching.
"A poignant poem he (Mr Shannon) wrote to mark the centenary of Armistice Day last year was also read," she said.
Mrs Lois Brain presented a painting by renowned Geelong-based artist Susan Sutton to the community.
"The painting had been gifted to the Memorial Hall and the Returned Services League of Willaura sub-branch by an anonymous benefact," Ms Fleming said.
Titled 'Out came the Sherrin', the painting depicts Gallipoli diggers engaged in a game of Australian Rules Football amidst the trenches of World War 1.
After the service a number ofpeople laid wreaths at the World War 1 Memorial, and Colin Holmes gave a brief history of the Memorial Plantation.
The Willaura Primary School community then provided a morning tea for all.
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