Councillor Anne Seymour said the numbers were difficult to tell considering the large number of children represented from every school. 

She believed the service was a success judging from the feedback she had received across the community with some saying it was the best service they had been to. 

It had been daunting organising the centenary event also considering the change of venue from George McCoy Park to the Civic Centre lawn, Cr Seymour said. 

“We endeavoured to give everybody the ultimate feeling of Anzac.”

At the service, Mount Isa-based Delta Company’s Officer Commanding Major Dave Hopgood urged attendees not to forget the spirit of Anzac as it could rally the nation against future aggressors. 

“If we treasure our freedoms, civil liberties and even our lives we will need that spirit of Anzac and we must never let it die,” he said. 

The actions of Australian soldiers in World War Imade the world see Australia as an “independent character” and more than just as a British outpost. 

8500 Australian soldiers were killed and 19,000 were wounded, he said. 

Parish Priest Father Mick Lowcock recalled some stories recently told about World War I soldiers, including a 14-year-old boy who insisted on going to war to fight alongside his brothers. Another 14-year-old died with a letter in his pocket, which said “mum, please write to me”. 

“Imagine the family and friends and how they felt at that time,” Fr Lowcock said. 

“So we gather to remember them.

“May we be grateful for what we’ve been gifted with.”