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One hundred years on from Gallipoli, Anzac Centenary celebrations are being planned all across the nation.
RSL communities all over the Illawarra are also doing their part to honour the memories of our fallen soldiers.
In fact, Dapto RSL Sub Branch began the celebrations a little early, taking to the streets for a pre-Anzac day march along the Princes Highway and Bong Bong Road.
Members of the Dapto RSL and students from Mt Brown public, Kanahooka High, Dapto primary and high school, Lakelands Public School, Koonawarra Public and St Johns Catholic marched from the Ribbonwood Centre to the Dapto RSL and Community War Memorial on Sunday.
They were also joined by the third and fourth catafalque battalions of the Royal NSW Regiment, as well as members of the local Scouts, Defence Force and Navy cadets.
This year's centenary celebration also saw a special Honour Plaque added to the Dapto War Memorial, commemorating the Anzacs who served in World War I.
The new brass plaque was created with a grant from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and lists the names of all local service men and women that lost their lives in the first World War.
These names were taken from a memorabilia board rescued over 15 years ago by RSL members Norm Leslie and Bobby Townsend. The two men salvaged the piece of local history from demolition, before restoring and re-gifting it to Dapto Public, where it has formed part of the Anzac celebrations for many years.
During the dedication ceremony two children from each school read out the names of the fallen soldiers. Around 200 people were estimated to have attended.
"What we're finding is that we are getting a lot more young people involved," said Mary Johnston, of the Dapto RSL sub-branch.
Dapto RSL's honorary secretary Michael Johnston believes it's becoming increasingly important to remember the day - and to get local kids involved. This year the sub branch will also present a special 'Sons of Gallipoli' to all local schools.
"It's such an important tradition. The interest of younger people is really increasing - memorabilia adds to that interest and makes them more invested in their own history," said Mr Johnston.
"If we don't encourage people to support their sub-branch, they'll be lost. Members are getting older," said Mary Johnston.
Dapto RSL will hold a dawn service at Dapto War Memorial on Station Street, Saturday, April 25 at 6am. There will also be a flag-raising ceremony held at 5pm at the Dapto Bowling Club. All are welcome to attend.