An embarkation commemoration dinner in Dunedin on Saturday celebrated the service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Air Force Liaison Officer Andrew Rooney said the service personnel in Otago and Southland must be remembered.
''It is important to commemorate and recognise the commitment made throughout the entire provinces 100 years ago.''
The formal dinner at the University of Otago Staff Club was attended by 66 people including Southland Mayor Gary Tong, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, Gore deputy mayor Cliff Bolger, Clutha deputy mayor Stewart Cowie and Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt.
The guest speaker at the dinner was Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-general Tim Keating.
Following the dinner, a concert, ''The University Remembers'', was held in Allen Hall, a joint production by the university's music department and theatre studies.
The Otago Officers Club, on behalf of the WW100 Governance Committee, held the dinner to signify the 100th anniversary of the Otago and Southland troops' embarkation to World War 1.
