Estimates of between 12,000 and 15,000 people gathered to watch the Anzac march make its way down Summer Street before attending the 11am ceremony in Robertson Park on Saturday.

The march was led past cheering crowds by Australian stockhorse Matilda and Australian Light Horse uniform-clad Scott Stanford, followed by veterans, servicemen and women and their families, marching bands and more than 2000 school children. 

A touching and thoughtful ceremony was held at Orange’s new cenotaph to remember those who had paid the ultimate price, with the commemorative address read by Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, The Ode read by  City of Orange RSL president Lindsay Wright, prayers from Church of Christ Pastor John Shuttleworth, and bugler Derek Johns and piper Don Peck.  

Members of the 1/19th Battalion made up the catafalque party to guard the cenotaph, while Kinross Wolaroi School cadets stood at the ready at the flag poles.

Orange Anzac Day committee chairman Graeme Scott, who led the service, said he was proud of the Orange community’s efforts to honour Australia's servicemen and women.

"I've never seen so many people at a service in Orange before," he said.

"I think one thing [that attracted people] was the centenary of Anzac, which means a lot to so many people, and also the publicity around the new cenotaph had a lot of people interested."

Music was performed by Orange High School concert band and poems read by The Canobolas Rural Technology High School students, God Save the Queen, hymn The Recessional and the Australian national anthem were sung by Canobolas student Ellena Hicks, while Orange High student Julia Bates-Gussoni sang the New Zealand national anthem.

For Mr Scott, a pivotal feature of Anzac Day was the large number of young people who attended services and participated in commemorations.

"If we don't educate and involve them in Anzac Day, then they're not going to carry on the tradition. After all the wars have died out, so to speak, they'll be the ones who will be there to continue the tradition," Mr Scott said.