The sunset ceremony at Rocky Hill has quickly become a fitting bookend to Goulburn’s popular Anzac Dawn Service, bracketing the War Graves remembrance and Auburn Street march in between.
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The RSL Rural Commemorative Youth Choir, which performs under the baton of musical director OJ Rushton, called to the crowd as it toiled the short ascent from the hilltop car park to the war memorial.
“Soldier on, soldier on,” they chimed in song, a clarion call to those rugged up for the windy vicinity under ominous grey clouds.
The service commenced at 5pm with a welcome from emcee Goulburn RSL Sub Branch member Brian Warren RAN (Retd).
“This is a less formal service,” Mr Warren said. “Reflecting the weariness, losses and gains, and a general closure of the day. This reflection is not only for the military, but those at home.
“There are no lecterns, no lights, no chairs, just standing or sitting where you can. It is at the end of the day when troops, farmers, workers, family and friends gather in small groups, no matter where they were, or are … waiting for the ... light of tomorrow.”
The service included a rendtiion of the Australian anthem, a ‘table of remembrance’ ceremony, a speech by Year 12 student Gabrielle Russell of Trinity Catholic College, and by Reverend Owen Davies, a Chaplain for the Royal Australian Navy.
President of the Goulburn RSL Sub Branch Gordon Wade gave The Ode, followed by a minute’s silence. Hymns were sung throughout, closing with a sunset bugle call. Flags were lowered and folded.
Under cover of heavy clouds, the sun had slipped over the horizon, and the crowd slowly descended the hill, arm in arm, into the cold, dark night and back to the bright comforts of home with full hearts.
