The crowd huddled and rugged up nevertheless in the six-degree temperature, set amongst a foggy morning.

From out of the mist emerged the Goulburn Soldiers Pipes and Drums band marching up Market St to the waiting mass.

"There's something about the bagpipes," member Leon Fleming later told the Post.

"It's in the blood. I was two-and-a-half when I first heard them on a battery operated wireless."

Born with a streak of Scottish heritage, his lifelong interest was perhaps inevitable.

Mr Fleming was recognised at Monday's Dawn Service for 35 years' devotion to Goulburn's Anzac Day commemorations as part of the Pipes and Drums band.

It was he who suggested the Goulburn Soldiers Club sponsor the band back in 1971. They started in July of that year and have been a popular mainstay for many marches, parades and community events since.

Before Goulburn, Mr Fleming played bagpipes around the South Coast for a church band, also at Anzac Day services.

Two more years and he'll notch up his 60th.

Coming from a "little town like Taralga," Anzac Day was always going to hold a special place.

"I had numerous uncles and great uncles who served in the wars," Mr Fleming said.

"Dad was too valuable to send because he worked on the (Mulwaree) Shire and knew all the roads around here intimately where he could direct the troops."

After the War Graves service, Mr Fleming escaped the crowd and played a solo Scottish Lament for his uncle, Samuel James Fleming, who served in the Light Horse in WWI. He survived the war, returned to Goulburn and died in the 1940s. Samuel is buried at the Lawn Cemetery.

Earlier, people paused to remember as magpies performed their usual morning greeting and autumn leaves drifted through the park at the Dawn Service.

Goulburn RSL Sub Branch president Gordon Wade said it was pleasing to see so many gathered at an early hour to pay their respects to those who died on the battlefield and those who sacrificed "so much for our freedom".

"We give thanks to those who remained at home and provided for our troops and kept the country supplied with food: our police, doctors, nurses and many other essential services.

"We also give thanks to you who gave service to your country in times of need. We will remember them."

Goulburn High School captain Jemma Frost said Anzac Day commemorations were not about glorifying war nor praising victors, but to remember those who served during times of conflict and crisis and to reflect on their sacrifice.

"[We also] remember the people who remained at home and kept them on their journey.

"It is important to remember those who worked on farms, in schools and in manufacturing industries who made their journey possible. The Goulburn community is and has been deeply involved with the Anzac journey."

Baxters Boots, for one, had produced 400 boots a day for troops during WWI. Today it still makes boots for the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

In a nice link to the future, students also gave up their time to help the war effort.

The community's involvement was a central theme of this year's Anzac Day services and march in Goulburn.

Miss Frost said that contribution today was still highly evident in many groups and the Rocky Hill War Museum, which preserved the story.

Linda Wade then recited the poem, 'Gallipoli,' written by Staff Sergeant Sydney Bolitho, Sixth Battalion AIF, who was seriously wounded during the campaign.

Mr Wade recited the Ode amid the morning silence, followed by The Last Post and the national anthem, sung by John Buckley.

Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk attended the service on behalf of Mayor Geoff Kettle, while Cr Sam Rowland represented Goulburn MP Pru Goward.

Others to lay wreaths were John Bill on behalf of the National Servicemen's Association, Goulburn Legacy president Jean Lloyd, Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, NSW Police and Joan Humphries, Goulburn Pipes and Drums.

Following morning services, many gathered for a warming breakfast at the Goulburn Soldiers Club.