There was an air of excitement among the crowd at Queens Gardens as it was the first time in several years they had been able to attend the commemorations in person.
Organisers believed it was one of the largest turnouts in the past decade, boosted by the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and relatively warm, dry weather.
Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) Otago and Southland president Lox Kellas was delighted with the turnout, particularly the large number of young people.
This year’s Anzac address was given by Colonel Amanda Jane Brosnan, who urged those assembled to visit war memorials across the region and read the names on them.
"Think about the pain suffered, the lives cut short, the dreams unfulfilled and the grief felt by those left behind and those who were damaged."
The enormous losses suffered by New Zealand in World War 1 brought grief and despair to homes across New Zealand, including Dunedin, she said.
"The heavy casualties at Gallipoli came as a particular shock because New Zealand had had no previous experience of the huge toll that could be inflicted by artillery, machine guns and other weapons of industrial warfare.
"Each generation of New Zealanders has its own struggles and crosses to bear, but those who fought in World War 1 had more than their fair share of misfortune.
"A world war, an influenza pandemic, followed by an economic depression of unparalleled scope, and then an even more terrible conflict 21 years later with the commencement of World War 2."
"This day, let us all think about the continuing need to stand up to those who believe might is right, and who have no regard for human rights or international law.
"Anzac Day unites the past and the present. It has come to mean more than Gallipoli. It has come to mean more than World War 2," she said.
"It has developed to encompass sacrifices made by New Zealanders in armed conflict and military operations around the globe up to the present day.
"Anzac is also about the future."
She finished with the words of John Maxwell Edmonds, written during WW1.
"When you go home, tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today."
