Lynne Mowbray | The ANZAC Day parade in Maclean began with the roar of a RAAF F/A-18 overhead, startling parade onlookers. Maclean RSL Sub-Branch president Stephen Walton said the flyover came after the RSL Sub-Branch filed a request six months ago, for Ceremonial Support for ANZAC Day. “A lot of planning went into flyover,” Mr Walton said.” “We had to provide the exact co-ordinates of the Cenotaph [latitude/longitude] requesting them to fly north to south along the eastern side of the river. “I spoke with the pilot prior to the flyover to run through the final details with him. “At exactly 10.40am the jet passed overhead at a height of 100 metres and travelling at [a reduced speed of] 600klm and passing directly over the Maclean cenotaph. “The F/A-18 Hornet flew out of Amberley air force base and spent two and a half hours flying over the scheduled route, which covered areas of south-east Queensland and northern NSW. “Maclean was the only cenotaph in the Clarence Valley which was scheduled for the flyover,” he said. Mr Walton said that he was impressed with the growing numbers turning out for this year’s ANZAC Day services. “It was gratifying to see the huge attendance at both services in Maclean,” Mr Walton said. “There would have been at least 400 attending the dawn service this year and a lot more at the main service. “The crowds have been getting bigger over the last few years,” he said.