The town’s main march attracted a big crowd that used the occasion to pay their respect to the fallen from all conflicts. 

It was one of the biggest turnouts for an Anzac Day service in Leeton for many years. 

Those participating in the march came from a variety of different groups and organisations, including returned servicemen and woman, the Leeton branch of the Australian Red Cross, schools from across the shire, the Leeton Pipe Band and Leeton Town Band. 

Yanco Agricultural High School had its entire student body take part, as well as its drum corps. 

Leeton RSL Sub-branch president John Power led the service and was impressed with the support in the day. 

“I think it’s quite fitting that there are so many young people here today as it was young people 100 years ago that left home to fight at Gallipoli in that terrible war – World War I,” he said. 

Adding to the ambience of the day this year was performances from the Riverina Men’s Choir and Leeton Town Band. 

Leeton High School students Jenna McCallum and Lucas Meline read the names of the shire’s fallen from World War I and World War II, while children planted crosses with those men’s names around the cenotaph. 

Former Leeton resident and passionate World War I historian Jim Geltch was the guest speaker on the day and spoke about the importance of the Anzac legend and outlined the various meanings of the Last Post and Ode. 

While he was speaking, aircraft from the Temora Aviation Museum conducted a flyover of the gathering. 

The crowd fell silent when the Last Post and reveille was sounded by Ian Bull, with residents reflecting on the sacrifice made 100 years ago. 

The service was rounded out by the singing of Advance Australia Fair, the New Zealand National Anthem – God Defend New Zealand and God Save the Queen. 

As the crowd dispersed others moved on to the shrine at the Leeton Soldiers Club for a short service before lunch was held.