Anzac spirit needed to rebuild Lismore after flood disaster

"It's about mateship," Phillip Consalvo said.

"We all fought under the one flag. Anzac Day is about commemorating the fallen. They fell with comrades in defence of this flag. We were all mates.

After seeing the huge crowd turn out for both the Dawn Service and the Anzac Day march, Mr Consalvo said that same spirit is "alive and active in Lismore".

Thousands of people lined the flood ravaged streets of Lismore on Monday to pay respects to those who served in defence of Australia, and for those who didn't make it home.

And there was an especially huge cheer for our modern day heroes, the SES, the volunteers who Lismore relied on so heavily over the past few months.

Mr Consalvo and Jeff Spash have been mates for years. They both served in Vietnam, but got to know each other when they served as Lismore councillors.

As a former deputy mayor and SES Richmond Tweed Region deputy region controller, Mr Spash understands the challenge facing the community after the floods, and says the spirit of the Anzacs is alive and well in Lismore.

"Anzac Day is a special day to recognise the mates you've lost. It's also an opportunity for the community to participate in some truly Australian history and take it forward," Mr Spash said.

"It's the spirit that Lismore needs. The same way the Anzacs fought together, the community can work together as one.

"That's what we are good at, it's the Australian way to help each other and support one another," he said.

"It came out in the floods, we are mates."

Lismore City RSL sub-branch secretary Wilson McClelland said he was extraordinarily pleased to see so many people at the services held at the Lismore Memorial Baths Cenotaph, saying it was important for Lismore following the floods.

"It's an honour to be able to conduct a service for the community," Mr McClelland said. "It's the first normal thing to happen in the town since the floods."