A SEA of locals gathered at Apex Park in Nelson Bay on Saturday morning, standing shoulder to shoulder in a moving display of respect as the community marked Anzac Day.
Following the traditional march, the main service began shortly before 11am, drawing a strong crowd that spilled well beyond the memorial precinct, a clear sign that remembrance remains deeply embedded in the Port Stephens community.
At exactly 11:06am, heads tilted skyward as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II roared overhead in a precisely timed flypast, adding a powerful and emotional moment to the ceremony.
The service itself was marked by quiet reflection and heartfelt tribute.
A local veteran shared a poem he had written, read by Tomaree High School Captains, his words carrying across the crowd and settling into a stillness that spoke louder than applause.
Many in attendance were visibly moved, with the poem capturing both the sacrifice of those who served and the enduring responsibility of those who remember.
Wreaths were laid, heads bowed, and the familiar notes of The Last Post rang out across the bay, momentarily silencing even the breeze.
Among the crowd, a quiet and powerful energy unfolded as several bystanders stood in uniform, separate from the formal proceedings yet unmistakably part of them.
With measured precision, they raised their hands in salute, each slightly different, reflecting the traditions of their service yet united in meaning.
Some held the salute a fraction longer, others lowered theirs in unison with The Last Post, yet all stood with a shared sense of pride and dignity.
It was a subtle reminder that service does not end with ceremony; it lives on in those who continue to honour it, even from the sidelines.
Earlier in the day, locals had already gathered for the 5:30am dawn service, before returning again for the main march and commemoration, a testament to the importance of the day for many families.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, conversations remained quiet and reflective.
In Nelson Bay, as across the nation, the message was clear: Lest We Forget.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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