Colonel Carroll used the stretch of beach from Red Head to Black Head to illustrate to the 400 people in attendance, the magnitude of the task that fell upon the original ANZACs in 1915 as they were confronted by Turkish forces.

Colonel Carroll, who served in both Malaya and Vietnam as well as a management roll at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra before retiring at Black Head, recited the ode to the fallen after which Alan Tickle played Last Post and Reville.

The ex-military bugle used was on loan from a Taree family and thought to be more than 100 years old.

The beautiful tones of that bugle which cascaded across the waves, was a symbolic reflection on the lives that were lost in the Gallipoli beach landing and in other conflicts involving Australian military personnel.

The sense of community amongst the Hallidays Point residents was once again evident, as the local Probus Choir lead the various anthems and commemorative music while Lions club members provided the after celebration barbecue breakfast.

The captains of Hallidays Point Public School were active participants in the ceremony, with all children present then invited by MC Peter Hester, to lay a piece of rosemary amongst the wreaths that were placed by various groups from the local community.