Huge crowds at Anzac Day services

Thousands of people attended Anzac Day services throughout Lake Macquarie this morning, despite rain putting a dampener on many.

Large crowds were on hand for early services at Wangi, Speers Point, Cardiff, Toronto and Morisset, while services at Rathmines featured some spectacular aerial displays.

The former RAAF base at Rathmines is described as the "spiritual home" of 11 Squadron based at Edinburgh Airbase in South Australia.

Having flown the well known P3-Orion for many years while they, amongst other things patrol Australia's northern parts, 11 Squadron now has the new P8 Poseidon aircraft which made two fabulous fly-bys as part of the Rathmines service.

My congratulations to the organisers of this wonderful event and my thanks to the Commander and personnel of 11 Squadron for maintaining this important relationship with our community.