AS the sun rose across central Victoria's many small towns on Saturday, hundreds attended moving ceremonies commemorating 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While small towns are known for their intimate and moving ceremonies, some organisers could not have predicted just how great their impact would be on their communities.
Elmore RSL sub-branch president Jeff Crust expected a crowd of 30, possibly 50, as the town prepared to host its first dawn service for almost 50 years.
When Saturday morning arrived, 200 people gathered at railway square where the flag pole acted as the memorial.
"We were just blown away by the support from the town," Mr Crust said.
One hundred people then marched to the Elmore Memorial Hall where a crowd of up to 300 people attended the main service.
The names of those listed on the town's honour roll were written on small white crosses, each placed one by one in a makeshift garden bed in the hall.
Ex-servicewoman Captain Jane Worme spoke of her experiences in Timor and of the hardships faced by returned soldiers.
Mr Crust said it was the best community gathered he had experienced since moving to Elmore three years ago.
"It's inspired me to start a campaign to money for a memorial for Elmore," he said.
Axedale is also working towards building a war memorial for for the local park, having used a flag pole for the Anzac Centenary.
The town held its first ever Anzac service on Saturday where close to 300 people attended.
Axedale Our Town - Our Future president Yvonne Wrigglesworth said the town could expect an Anzac Day service every year, hopefully with its own memorial.
"Without a doubt we will hold one again," she said.
"We would like to think that the community, RSL and many others will combine to build us a memorial.
"A bluestone memorial would be perfect for Axedale."
Axedale Primary School students performed renditions of In Flanders Field, while the town choir accompanied with songs of its own.
The Kyneton RSL sub-branch held services in Malmsbury, Trentham and Taradale, and up to 1800 people lined the streets of Kyneton for the Anzac Day march.
Vintage planes from the Kyneton Aeroclub flew over the town during the morning service as central Victoria remembered those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
At Sutton Grange, a gathering of 140 people paid their respects at a small service at the area's 1922 memorial.
A piper made sure the Last Post echoed among the many gum trees surrounding the area.
Marge Townrow, of Sutton Grange, said it was a simple but moving ceremony.
"We seem to get bigger and bigger every year," she said.
"The children that were there put poppies next to World War I servicemen's names as well."