Smells of bacon cooking over a charcoal wood burner wafted over Tauranga Domain as thousands of people lined up for the Great Anzac Day Brunch.
Five thousand bacon butties, hot cups of tea and coffee and Anzac biscuits were a welcome treat for all those who attended the Civic Memorial Service in the Domain on Saturday.
Among the 70 volunteers preparing and serving the brunch were Bethlehem College students Ciara Derecourt, 17, and her sister Niamh, 15, and some of her school mates.
Ms Derecourt said this was her first Anzac Day service and when they asked for volunteers she jumped at the chance and has "loved" being part of the commemoration service.
"I was really excited because I have never been involved in anything like this before. I was blown away by how many people turned up and seeing the hundreds of people marching in uniforms on parade made me feel very proud. It was awesome experience