MEMBERS of the Goolhi and surrounding community have gathered to commemorate Anzac Day 2018 with an annual sunset service.
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The traditional style service, complete with readings, a taking of the ode and a minutes silence draws back to the history of the area which was originally a soldiers settlement.
The community event had assistance from several locals including Jules Orman who told The Namoi Valley Independent the sunset service had a strong turn-out.
“I think we had about 30 or 40 people come along which was great,” Mrs Orman said.
“It was a beautiful service, we had a barbecue after it finished and every brought something along and it was a good way to bring the whole community together.”
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The sunset service is unique to the region with people of all ages taking the opportunity to pay their respects during the service.
“What the service does is give everyone a chance to go into Gunnedah or Boggabri or somewhere else and take part in a dawn service or march and still have a chance to come here and pay their respects,” Mrs Orman said.
“I would be guessing but I think we have been holding it for the last 20 years but it may well have been going on since it first became a soldiers settlement.
“Honestly I think it is great that every year we have such a large diversity in ages.
“Every year you see little kids, teenagers and adults come together and pay their respects which helps keep the Anzac spirit alive.”
Mrs Orman said the service is aimed to keep the areas historical ties going.
“We still have two soldiers settlers sons who live in the area,” she said.
“Greg Morris and Ash Whitney are the two locals with that connection and they played a big part in the ceremony including raising the Australian flag and helping to run the service.
“Honestly it was a great service that everyone from around here looks forward to every year and personally I’m really looking forward to it again next year.”