A huge crowd lined Waterman Street for the Anzac Day march on Sunday April 25 and then gathered at Club Old Bar for the Anzac Day commemoration service.

Veterans and the Light Horse led the march ahead of Old Bar Public School and Taree Christian College students, police and firefighters.

At the service, Old Bar Beach RSL Sub-branch president Jeff Earley thanked all past and present service men and women.

"You have kept us safe and it is important that we not only recognise the physical scars but also the psychological scars many veterans carry," Mr Earley said.

"We also remember those who contributed on the home front, supplying material and moral support to the Australians serving overseas and the sacrifices made by families who cared for their loved ones who returned home with injuries.

He spoke about Australia's involvement with wars before World War I and the significance of the Landing at Gallipoli.

"Gallipoli wasn't even an Australian battle for we landed and fought alongside troops from New Zealand, Britain, France, Newfoundland (Canadian province)," Mr Earley said.

"So why have we chosen April 25? What made Gallipoli different for Australia was it was the first major battle we fought as a nation.

"Soldiers from every state of the new federated Australia fought and volunteered. What seared itself into the nation's soul was the sheer scale of casualty.

"April 25 is not about military victory. As a people, we chose a day when loss of war first scarred the conscious of a young nation.

"The loss was felt across the whole community and it was tragedy we can all associate with."

Numerous Old Bar Public School students gave speeches.

Before his address, Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead asked for a show of hands to identify the veterans in the crowd. A round of applause followed.

"Anzac Day stands for everything we as Australians hold dear," Mr Bromhead said.

"Anzac Day, above all days, is the day when Australians should pay tribute to those who gave their all.

"Through a storm of machine gun fire and shrapnel, the Anzac spirit was born. It was born on the battlefields of Gallipoli.

"The Anzac spirit of mateship, courage under fire, ingenuity, initiative, loyalty is what we as Australians today aspire to emulate in our lives."

Manning Great Lakes Police District Commander Superintendent Chris Schilt spoke about The Battle of the Nek and the impact Anzac Day has on future generations.

"I'm always pleased when I look out into the crowd and see young people because it highlights for me that we remain committed to never forgetting the sacrifices that have and continue to be made by our defence force," Supt Schilt said.