It’s a time for reflection. Remembering the loved ones we’ve lost and celebrating those who have survived. It’s an opportunity to say thank you to friends, family and carers.

It’s about building community resilience and fighting back.

Trish Rosevear will walk the first lap on Saturday, a lap traditionally reserved to be walked by cancer survivors and carers. She falls into both of those categories and has been walking the Relay for eight years.

“Originally I was a long-time employee of Goulburn Medical Clinic and knew a lot of people who came in with cancer. It wasn’t until a few years after I’d started doing the Relay that several of my family members including myself fought cancer,” she told the Post.

“The walk can be quite emotional, particularly if you’ve lost a family member or friend or have fought cancer yourself. At the same time it’s very uplifting. Goulburn has a wonderful, wonderful community spirit.”

Ms Rosevear will be accompanied by three generations of her family, friends and fellow ‘Rosies Buds’ team members, including committee women Rosie Curtis and Lynn Hornbrook.

All three have seen the Relay grow and change, from a Police Academy gathering to the festival-style Relay event we now see at Eastgrove Park.

“I feel that Eastgrove has a lot of character to it,” Ms Hornbrook said.

“Last year, walking in the dark at 3am, to look up and see the War Memorial shining through the mist was pretty special.”

The Relay For Life is arguably the biggest fundraising event in Goulburn each year. Some 450 people registered to walk in 2013 and more than $50,000 was raised for research and local services.

Funds from previous years have gone to local programs such as Eat It To Beat It, the Sun Sound at the Pool and the Cancer Information Centre.

This year a Flower Power theme and a few extra program additions (including thematic walks and trackside movies) will keep the spirit alive well into the night.

Cancer Council Community Relations Coordinator Craig Norris said what rings true from the event each year is an overwhelming feeling of unity.

“It’s about supporting those people that are going through hard times. It may feel like you’re in that battle alone but you’re not.”

Those who are yet to register with a team online can still register via www.cancercouncil.com.au/event/relay-for-life-goulburn-surrounds or can do so on the day at $20 per person. Having a team is not required, and people are more than welcome to walk individually.

The opening ceremony will take place at 10am on Saturday, the Hope Ceremony will begin that evening at 7.30pm and the Closing Ceremony will kick off at 9.30am Sunday.