“Back in the old days the shire area stretched from Bellingen to Clybucca and was home to some 2000 men, based on the 1912 census,” Graham told the Guardian.

“Of those 600 blokes went to the Great War - that's more than a third of the male population!

“And it struck me what an amazing effort that was for this Valley.”

These statistics were the seeds of what on Saturday will be the first Combined Commemorative Service for ANZAC within what is now the much smaller Nambucca Shire.

“The really important aspect of this is the sense of community - the losses of that war really put this valley behind by 30-40years and in some ways I don’t think we’ve ever really recovered.”

Bringing the idea to reality has  however taken plenty of hard work by many heads and hands.

A steering committee was formed in 2011 with community service groups and the local chambers of commerce also coming on board.

Another key player is committee secretary, John Kent, who has been busy pulling together logistics such as the buses, the schools, the exhibition of school projects in Grants Hall, the wreath laying, special guests and multiple other details.

“I was in the Navy for 20 years and I thought the idea of the combined march would be an excellent tribute to the diggers who never came home so I just picked up the baton and said “Righto let’s go,” John said.

“Those men really had no idea what lay ahead - they went for the adventure, they went with pride to fight for King and country ... they were so innocent.

“The ANZAC legend has developed from there and in recent years the RSL has done a lot to educate students in schools about our ANZAC heritage.

“There will be 300 children marching on Saturday, from the whole valley and the projects they have submitted are just brilliant.

“Fifty school children will be wearing names of those on the cenotaph.

“I hope the day is very memorable for them all.”

Attempts have also been made to reach out to Aboriginal Diggers, Afghanistan vets, nurses and partners of veterans.

The organisers are expecting around 1000 attendees with possibly 500 of them marching - including one 90-year-old man coming from Curl Curl to march for his father. Everyone is welcome, bring your medals or those of your ancestor if you want to march.

“This is a once-in-a- lifetime event and will go ahead no matter the weather, so people should come prepared.”

The Combined Commemorative March will step out from the Bowraville Ex-Services Club at 10am. For more information phone John on 6568-8682.