Neither rain nor terror threat stopped Victorians turning out in record numbers to remember sacrifices made in wars at Anzac Day centenary commemorations.
In a show of unity following a foiled terror plot aimed at Anzac Day, about 100,000 people huddled under umbrellas in the chilly dawn at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
Some, like Craig King and his son Ryan, camped out from 1am to be at their third dawn service.
"I think it's so important that we show our respect," Ryan said.
Some were there to pay respects generally, others were honouring relatives, and triple the usual number of police were there remembering their fallen and keeping the public safe.
Shrine of Remembrance chief executive Denis Baguley said the crowd showed Victorians would not give in to threats.
"There was always a concern (of terrorism), especially with the dawn service where people arrive in the dark," he said.
The crowd heard Afghanistan veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Kahlil Fegan, speak of the spirit of courage, respect, larrikinism and mateship that make Anzac troops unique.
"What I've seen I can only describe as a manifestation of a spirit ... the same spirit that drove the original Anzacs off the boats and onto the beaches at this time 100 years ago," he said.
The rain kept falling during the parade, as at least 20,000 serving and retired soldiers, and band and family members, marched in procession towards the Shrine of Remembrance.
"It was definitely the biggest parade march I've seen in about 15 years of doing this job," Senior Marshall, Major Peter McCrossin told AAP.
The crowd of onlookers was appreciative and there were shouts of "Thank you!" as the procession moved by.
Onlooker, Denis Perry said it was heartening to see such a turn out.
"It's got nothing to do with promoting war," Mr Perry told AAP.
"It's what the Australian people did for this country, and for the rest of the world."
Premier Daniel Andrews said police - the targets of the thwarted terror plot - were given strong support from the crowd.
"It is always of really considerable concern when you have issues such as those raised by events last weekend," he said.
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