Slightly misty and softly lit, its spirituality was just as poignant beamed to the 2000 to 3000 people assembled in the park.

Children huddled, wide eyed and anticipatory, while the solemnity of the 100th anniversary of Anzac was etched on adults’ faces.

Matching the official party on Rocky Hill, Goulburn MP Pru Goward, Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk, Council general manager Warwick Bennett, Goulburn RSL Sub Branch trustee Don Woodhouse, Louise Taylor, representing her husband federal Hume MP Angus Taylor, Grahame Northey and police assembled at the park.

Cadets from Royal Military College, Duntroon and students from Trinity Catholic College and Mulwaree High School were also part of proceedings. Saturday’s live telecast to the park went off without a hitch.

“It went off like clockwork,” Goulburn RSL Sub Branch member Rod Maclean said.

“It’s a credit to those who spent time and effort on it to overcome quite a few difficulties, the main one being getting people to Rocky Hill.”

Mr Maclean could see people stretched back to the park’s greenhouse and said their huge attendance was to be applauded. Among the faces was young Harry Kristan. The 13-year-old Year 7 Trinity Catholic College student was there with his family, including dad, Warrant Officer (Class 2) David Kristen.

“It was pretty good,” Harry said of the service. 

“I’ve been to a few Dawn Services now – one in Sydney a few years ago and in Brisbane.

“It’s nice to know that everyone still remembers (our servicemen and women) and that they’re not forgotten.”

His father has been in the Army for 27 years and in 2010 served eight months in Afghanistan as part of Mentoring Taskforce One. Today he works with the Amphibious Taskforce on HMAS Canberra.

The family moved to Goulburn from Queensland last year. Warrant Officer Kristen commutes to his Sydney base where he is flown to and from ships.

Saturday was his first Anzac Day Dawn Service in Goulburn.

“I thought it was brilliant, really well done and a good combination (with the telecast),” he said.

After so long in the Army, he said it was only in the past few years he’d noticed young people fully embracing Anzac Day.

“I don’t think it was until we went back into Afghanistan that they realised the importance of the Army,” he said.

“Anzac forged the legend, and it is right we honour them, but others who served will get their turn.”

Goulburn man, Mick Jackson, who admitted walking up through the bush to Rocky Hill, said the park broadcast offered something for Goulburn.

“It was lovely up there, very solemn,” he said.

“A lot of people made the effort but it’s the least we can do for those who served and lost their lives.”

His friend, George Brewer also went to ‘The Hill’ with son Jon, who was part of the Trinity Catholic College contingent.

They travelled by bus and reported a stream of cars being turned away due to traffic control.

“I’ve never been to Dawn Service and it was great to go up there,” the former ‘Nasho’ and son of Ron Brewer said.

“It was so calm, it was amazing and then when all was quiet at 5.30am, the kookaburras started laughing, followed by the magpies. It was so Australian.”

A world away in Afghanistan, Goulburn soldiers were reportedly watching the telecast.

Later, locals crowded back into Belmore Park for the main ceremony. RSL Sub Branch members estimated up to 10,000 people.

The sun beamed through after a stormy week, lighting the gentle drop of autumn leaves and a memorable day for Goulburn.

Meantime, Mayor Geoff Kettle praised the hard work of many. “It was just fitting for the centenary of Anzac to have it on the Rocky Hill,” he said.

“I’m very, very happy with the investment of $50,000 to $70,000 for the telecast. It was spot on and I thank David Greig and Alex Ferrara for putting together a wonderful electronic streaming of proceedings at the Hill.”

The Mayor also congratulated everyone involved in Anzac Day, including the schools, volunteers and police.