Record numbers come out to remember those who fell

A warmer than average Anzac Day and the addition of the new monumental structure in Walcha's Memorial Park resulted in record numbers at the Anzac Day dawn service.

More than 200 people gathered in the park at 6 am to remember and pay tribute to those who gave their lives for their country.

Following the 11 am service Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson officiated at a ceremony to dedicate the new Walcha War Memorial commemorating all Walcha personnel who have and will serve in any armed conflict following World War II.

Walcha Returned Services League vice president Elizabeth Gill said Mr Anderson was instrumental in securing a grant in 2018 to the complete the structure after fundraising stalled at $30,000 the year prior - five years after the project's inception.

In 2017 the organisation's state council ordered sub-branches to cease all fundraising activities with the RSL under the cloud of an NSW government inquiry.

The mosaic floored monument is constructed out of sandstone and was created by two local sculptors: Stephen King and James Rogers; with the sculptor Michael Purdy. Their brief was to design something that had gravitas and was in keeping with the town's ever-growing outdoor sculpture gallery.

Mr Anderson said it was a great honour to be able to dedicate the beautiful and fitting monument.

"I know it is a project that has been at the heart of many here in Walcha," he said in his opening address.

"Our small towns take great pride in honouring their war dead as well as those serving.

"Honouring the dead began while the war still raged and continued into the late 1930s.

"Many small towns in regional NSW were amongst the first to decide how best to commemorate their loss with locals fundraising to do so."

Mr Anderson said early conflicts had taken their toll on Australia with 60,000 dead from a nation of less than 5 million and about 100,000 returned service personnel who bore physical or mental scars.

"Many years on and that situation remains today," he said.

"We still have serving personnel in various theatres of conflict around the world - we only hear about the ones that make the news.

"There are many more that our loved ones are involved in that we don't hear about, but they still bear witness they see hear and feel the terrible atrocities that conflict brings with it."

Coming home was not as lucky as we might think Mr Anderson said, with many suffering from the experiences they have endured.

"I always look for faces who stand at the back," he said.

"Those hesitant to come forward but trying very hard to reconnect - those young vets who have served their country and want to feel proud of what they have done and they should be proud.

"They have represented our country, and they have come home. Home to us, and we should welcome them and embrace them with open arms and say thank you.

"That's why I believe commemorations are so important not only for our war dead but for those who have served and returned. Keep turning up - Keep coming - we are seeing growing numbers at commemoration services, and I believe it's our duty both young and old."

Mr Anderson thanked Walcha Sub Branch of the NSW RSL president Roy Westfold, vice president Elizabeth Gill and mayor Eric Noakes who all worked closely with James Rogers and Stephen King.

"They have created something appropriate and complementary to the standing cenotaph and gardens, is respectful to our veterans, and also fits in the town's renowned open-air gallery," he said.

"I congratulate all involved in this beautiful and fitting monument."

Mrs Gill said the Walcha Sub Branch was delighted with the new monument and also with the attending crowd.

"We had someone here representing most major world conflicts since World War II to lay a wreath at the new memorial today," she said.

Lest we forget.