On a relatively warm morning, more than 200 people attended the Dawn Service at the Cootamundra Cenotaph in Albert Park this morning.
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After the wreath-laying, Cootamundra RSL sub-branch president Garry James echoed the words of Dr Brendan Nelson, Australian War Memorial director, in describing the dwindling ranks of Australia's World War II veterans as Australia's "best generation".
Mr James said this group, now well into their 90s, showed "the face of freedom",
"Not all conflicts Australia has been involved in have directly impacted on our freedoms, but World War II did," Mr James said.
"The Second World War veterans were once young, but they gave their youth - and 40,000 of them their lives - and many of them their health for the freedom we enjoy.
"And they went on to build the prosperity that our generation in particular has enjoyed and too often taken for granted.
"All those who have fought in all wars have proved themselves worthy of this tradition and we honour them today."
