WET weather proved to be no dampener on a stirring Anzac Day 2016 commemoration service in Taree.
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Thousands gathered to either partake in or watch the commemoration march as it traveled from Taree High School, down Macquarie Street and Victoria Street before arriving at Fotheringham Park's remembrance precinct.
While it rained during and after the march, the commemoration service enjoyed a period of dry weather.
A highlight of the ceremony was the commemoration address by St Clare's High School students Isabella Blenkin and Thomas Dormor, who discussed the concept of "sonder", or the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, and what that meant when applied to the men and women who served.
Greater Taree City Council Mayor Paul Hogan said it was empowering to know that Taree stood alongside thousands of other communities across Australia in paying their respects on Anzac Day.
President of the Taree RSL Sub-branch Darcy Elbourne thanked the community for its support and said, despite the threat of rain, calling the event off was never seriously considered.
"While it was a bit wet, as someone said before, 'it was wet in the trenches,'" Mr Elbourne said.
"The community has once again come along and supported the veterans in remembrance of war and all those who have served."
The day also marked the 100th anniversery of the first Anzac Day commemoration in Taree, which was held at the Belmore Hall in 1916 where they remembered 23 from the local area that had already paid the supreme sacrifice in the early part of the Great War.