Anzac spirit lives on
ABOUT 1000 people attended the Anzac Day dawn service at the Ballina cenotaph, the biggest crowd in recent years.
Speaking at the service, Padre Jack Ransom said it showed the Anzac spirit was still alive and important.
"It still pierces my soul when I mourn the loss of life," he said.
"We remember the fractured families ... and the returnees who tried to piece back together the lives they'd had before. I appeal to people - never lose sight of what has been done for us.
"Anzac now is a respected culture.
"It is not a general 'do what you like' mentality.
"That only breeds misbehaviour and contempt.
"We've got to start again somewhere and peace will be our reward."
Ballina RSL Sub Branch president, Bill Moore, reminded the crowd that 8709 Australians died in the eight-month Gallipoli campaign during World War I, along with 2721 New Zealanders.
