It’s 4:45am and all is silent.
From the close to 300 people gathered in one area, there’s not even a murmur.
They were at the Robert Mactier VC Memorial Garden in Tatura to remember those who served and sacrificed their lives.
Tatura RSL president Robin Fairchild welcomed the crowd.
He was followed by a reading of the poem Anzac Spirit by RSL vice-president Garth McMahon.
Speaking with passion, his words echoed through the crowd, hinting at the hard truth of war and the sacrifices made by those who served.
Wreaths were laid and poppies were placed down.
One of those wreaths came from Claire Petterson, who was visiting family in Undera.
“The wreath was in memory of the past and present soldiers on behalf of my entire family, as well as for family members who had also served,” Ms Petterson said.
Ms Petterson’s father served in the Light Horse regiment in World War II and her grandfather served in Belgium in World War I.
“It’s good to remember what they went through and the sacrifice they made for us. It made me think if my dad was killed in war, I wouldn’t be here,” she said.
“They didn’t know what they were going through, they just wanted to protect our country — it was that sense of duty.”
With the ceremony coming to an end, the Last Post was played on the cornet as led by Sarah Clark.
The plaintive sound of the cornet echoed the seriousness of what everyone was there to reflect on.
The crowd sat in silence yet again, reflecting on the hardships endured and sacrifices made by the many soldiers that gave their life to serve Australia.