Despite the coronavirus pandemic forcing the cancellation of traditional formal Anzac Day gatherings, the veterans laid wreaths and paused to reflect on the ultimate sacrifices many of their mates made for Australia.

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Private Francis Reginald Dring was the first veteran to arrive.

"I don't care if they have half a dozen squad cars here I will be here for dawn service," he said.

"Nothing was going to stop me."

Private Dring said he served for 12 months in Vietnam.

"The others only spent 10," he said.

"I wear the Long Tan badge on the right side in respect of the lads who lost their lives."

Fellow Vietnam veteran Captain Kevin Best said he wanted to not only remember the soldiers who died on the battlefields, but also those whose lives ended back home because of the repercussions of war.

"They have died far too early," Captain Best, a member of the Army Reserves for about 30 years, said.

"Back in those times things like Agent Orange and various things were sort of swept under the carpet, it took too many Diggers than what normally would have happened.

"There's a consequence to it that just goes on and on."

Captain Best said he understood the importance of the government's coronavirus public health response, but thought it was appropriate that a small group of veterans gathered at the cenotaph.

"There's just a few of us, we just thought it would probably be appropriate for a few of us to lay a wreath," Captain Best said.

"My dad was a Gallipoli veteran, he also trained soldiers during the second World War.

"I've probably attended every Anzac Day since I was 17, that's about 60 years ago."