People of all ages woke before the sun rose to make their way down to the water's edge.

Newcastle RSL Sub Branch president Ken Fayle gave a special thanks to council staff who worked tirelessly to clean up the foreshore after cyclonic winds whipped through earlier that week.

The very reverend Stephen Williams from Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, gave the blessing and the prayer.

He paid tribute to those who served the country faithfully during times of war, and prayed for their families whose freedom "was won at such a cost".