The RSL sub-branch purchased the freehold for the hotel last year, but works were not completed in time to officially shift to the riverside home in time for 2017.

Instead, Anzac Day acted as a changing of the guard for the city’s war veterans.

A wet morning did not deter the crowd from gathering under umbrellas at the Wangaratta cenotaph for the dawn service.

Soldiers in the catafalque party carried on through the steady rain as normal as they guarded over the ceremony, while others responsible for raising the flags covered their camouflage uniforms in clear ponchos.

Wangaratta sub-branch president Lieutenant General Ash Power paid tribute to all departed comrades on the 102nd anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

“We meet not to glorify war or exult in victory, but to remember those who served our country during times of conflict and crisis and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice,” he said.

“Since then, the standards they have set and the Anzac spirit that they epitomised have been handed down to all Australian soldiers, sailors, air men and women.”

Soaked from the rain, many of the crowd went straight from the dawn service to the Sydney Hotel’s first official Anzac Day event, a gunfire breakfast of bacon and egg rolls, plus tea, coffee and biscuits.

“It’s great to see such a very, very healthy crowd again here to recognise this very important day,” Lieutenant General Power said.

“Last year at the dawn service, I said we’d be at the Sydney, well we’re going to be for the gunfire breakfast.”

The rain cleared later in the morning with perfect timing, just as those involved in the march set off down Reid Street.

Indi MP Cathy McGowan, Murray Valley MLA Tim McCurdy, the region’s police commander Superintendent Paul O’Halloran and representatives from secondary and primary schools were among those to lay wreaths at at cenotaph during the 11am service.

That was followed by traditional Anzac Day two-up games and lunch for veterans at the old Victory Parade RSL building for one last time before it closes.

Lieutenant General Power said the move to the Sydney Hotel would be a “historical event”.

Before the hotel is closed for renovations, it opened for “last drinks” on Tuesday, including children activities after the march and AFL football on the big screen.