At 10am on Saturday, Jamberoo paused.

Locals lined the main street as veterans, schoolchildren, community groups and service representatives stepped off from the RSL Hall and marched to the School of Arts.

Under a clear autumn sky, the village gathered to honour those who served and those who never came home.

The Anzac Day ceremony, held the weekend before the Kiama service, allowed residents to take part in both commemorations.

It was a chance for the community to come together and reflect on the sacrifices made by Australians in conflicts near and far.

The names of the fallen were read aloud, including Toby Alexander, a farmer from Bombo who served in the Middle East during World War II.

Cr Stuart Larkins and Cr Erica Warren place a wreath of remembrance.

Alexander was wounded in the assault on Bardia in January 1941, where troops captured more than 40,000 Italian prisoners in a single day.

He died from his injuries and was laid to rest in El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt.

His story served as a poignant reminder of how deeply service and loss have shaped local families.

Local voices took centre stage throughout the service.

Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips spoke of courage, mateship and community, acknowledging the many Australians currently serving overseas and the resilience of the families who support them.

“I am really lucky to know a lot of serving veterans,” she said, “through my work with HMAS Albatross and Special Operations Command.

"My son is in the army too - he’s a gunner - so I feel it as a mum as well.”

“It’s about keeping the stories alive, so that courage and determination live on in us every day.”

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward reflected on the long-standing contribution of the region to Australia’s military history.

“This region has a very proud history of being involved in not just our armed forces, but also global conflicts that have been about the defence of the things that are quintessentially important to our country - freedom, democracy and liberty.”

Veteran Barry Wray offered heartfelt reflections on his service in Malaysia and along the Thai border during the 1960s.

It was a morning of remembrance, resilience and unity.

With quiet dignity, he reminded the crowd that Anzac Day is not about the machinery of war but about the humanity of those who served. “It’s not about the war itself,” he said, “but about the people who gave everything.”

He also made special mention of First Nations service, adding: “We remember all who served, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, who stood beside their comrades even before they were fully recognised as citizens. Their service, often overlooked, is part of the legacy we honour today.”

The service concluded with a moment of silence, observed with deep respect by young and old alike.

In every detail, from the schoolchildren standing quietly to the veterans wearing medals with pride, the ceremony captured what Anzac Day means to a town like Jamberoo.