Massive crowds welcome back Huskisson Anzac Day march and service

Large crowds lined streets as the march made its way to Voyager Park on the shores of Jervis Bay.

Huskisson RSL Sub-Branch president Alex Paton said as one of the "few marches actually being held in the local area" crowds "flocked to Huskisson".

"It was a beautiful sunny day and with no one else locally really staging marches we thought it might attract a big crowd, especially after not having anything last year," Mr Paton said.

"We sort of expected the march and service to be big but maybe not this big.

"It was great to see such a crowd back to commemorate Anzac Day.

"It was a relief to be able to hold a march and service after last year where everything was virtually cancelled.

"Last year we had a small service with about three of us and any onlookers who were in Voyager Park at the time.

Read more: Anzac day in the Shoalhaven

"To be able to hold an event this year and I think the turn out of the crowd shows how important Anzac Day and days like Remembrance Day are.

"It is particularly important for us to remember family and friends who have served."

A small contingent of personnel from HMAS Creswell, including members of the New Entry Officer Cadet class 64, and other members of the ship's company took part in the march, while Commanding Officer of HMAS Creswell, Captain Warren Bairstow gave the main address.

Captain Bairstow spoke about the importance of embracing the "modern veteran" encouraging the crowd to remember the "modern veteran was just as important as the older ones."

The service at Voyager Park included wreath laying, the Ode and the Last Post and Reveille.

Mr Paton said one of the highlights of the service was when a widow of the Voyager disaster and her two daughters from Sydney laid a wreath for the first time since the disaster 57 years ago, in February 1964.

Mr Paton said Club Jervis Bay was also packed following the service.

"We were only allowed 400 patrons inside due to COVID restrictions and we had every bit of that," he said.

"One of the biggest crowds I've ever seen inside the club on an Anzac Day."

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