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It's hard to believe that, up until a few years ago, the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Cronulla was held in Monro Park.

Cronulla Park, which is vastly larger in size, was jam-packed for this morning's commemoration - the 100th conducted by Cronulla RSL sub-Branch.

Attendance is believed to have been the biggest ever, up to 20,000. There didn't seem to be a spare square metre of space.

The turnout for the Caringbah Dawn Service was also very large compared with previous numbers.

Leading up to Anzac Day it appeared the service - traditionally the first to be held in the shire, beginning with a street march at 4.10am - might not go-ahead.

The number of people, including many children, who attended at such an early hour was proof it should never be surrendered.

"Sutherland had a huge turnout as usual," said a reader on the Leader's Facebook page. "So good to see young and old together respectfully and solemnly commemorating this important day."

Another post reads: "Miranda, where I stood, overflowed as did Engadine where my children and grandchildren attended".

At Cronulla, Bate Bay surf clubs once again joined in a symbolic re-enactment of the Gallipoli landing.

As dawn approached, surf boats gathered close to shore with oars raised as a lifesaver gave directions with flags from shore.

Retired combat assault dog Manic was present at the service and was with veteran Jason and his family when they laid a wreath.

After serving in Iraq and on Tactical Assault Group East (TAGE), Manic retired in 2020 and lives in Sutherland Shire.

Caringbah couple Hollie and Wade Hynes and their children Bobbie, 6, Pippa, 4, and Buddy, 5 months, were early arrivals at the Cronulla service.

"We've been doing it since Bobbie was Buddy's age," Ms Hynes said.

"We think it's important for them to understand what Anzac Day is and why we do it...just put the tradition in early to start it with them,.

"They love it, and I feel they have a greater understanding."

MC and sub-branch senior vice president Ross Edwards, told the gathering, "Today we thank those who have served, those who have suffered and those who still suffer as a result of their service.

"We also thank our families and friends, particularly those who have served, for your love and support."

Sub-branch president Corey Rinaldi said, "To see so many people come together so early in the morning in quiet reflection to commemorate the most significant day in our nation's history is deeply moving".

"As the sun slowly begins to rise behind me, the darkness that surrounds the park gently starts to fade," he said.

"What first appear as silhouettes to the early morning light slowly become people - faces emerging from the shadows one by one.

"And like a gentle wave of shared remembrance and pride, the crowd comes into view stretching from one side of the park to the other, all gathered here in silence at this dawn."

Mr Rinaldi said "this spirit of patriotism and remembrance, which is demonstrated so strongly in our small coastal community" marked special milestone today - 100 years".

"For a century now, organised by the dedicated volunteers of the Cronulla sub-Branch , the people of Cronulla have gathered on Anzac Day to honour those who have served, those who have sacrificed and those who never returned.

"From the earliest days, even before our first war memorial was commissioned and erected in the middle of Kingsway opposite the cinema this community has stood together in remembrances.

"Then, from 1940 to 2021 in Monro Park, and since 2022 here in Cronulla Park we have continued that tradition, gathering once again at dawn."

Mr Rinaldi said treasured memories of those events included, in the early 2000s, an address by a WWll fighter pilot as the rain poured down in Monro Park.

"As he spoke, the rain slowly washed the ink from his page, the words running down the paper, but never did he falter," he said.

Another address included "how close war came to our shores, our beautiful beaches lined with barbed wire bringing the reality of war to our very doorstep".

Barbed wire fencing on Cronulla beach during WWll. Picture Sutherland Shire Libraries

"Today as we mark 100 years of Anzac Day services conducted by Cronulla RSL sub-Branch, we do more than remember our history," he said.

"We honour a century of community, service, sacrifice and enduring Australian spirit.

"This tradition carried faithfully from one generation to the next stands as a lasting tribute to all those who have served our nation."