St Helens saw its largest Anzac Day service turnout in recent memory last Saturday, with more than 500 residents gathering to pay their respects.

The day began at 5.50am at the St Helens cenotaph, before 200 residents packed the St Helens RSL Club for a catered breakfast.

This was followed by the traditional 11am march, which paid homage to all of Australia and New Zealand's fallen and returned heroes.

The march featured the St Helens school band, horses, a donkey and a guest speech from St Helens' returned naval lieutenant Darren Watkins.

St Helens and St Marys RSL sub-branch president Wayne Cubitt said the day was one to remember.

"The Anzac spirit is alive and well on the East Coast," he said.

"This year's Anzac Day services were the best some of the best we have had for a long time."

The march was followed by a highly-anticipated Australian rules game between the East Coast Swan's and Bridport.

The Swans won and donned special edition guernseys that featured the names of East Coast Anzac heroes.

Mr Cubitt said the highly successful Anzac Day took many months to organise.

Despite positive feedback, he wants to make the ceremony bigger and better next year, in the hope that more people will acknowledge the sacrifice of the Anzacs.

"I've been overwhelmed by the support of the community. They turned out in droves this year.

"We want to something for the nurses next year because they don't quite get the same recognition as the diggers. This year's theme was about the diggers who had returned home from war and what they have to deal with. But next year we want to honour the nurses who also played a big part in the wars."