Narrabri Shire residents commemorated Anzac Day differently this year, at their homes in a silent tribute to those who have served in all wars and conflicts as COVID-19 restrictions failed to break the Anzac spirit.
Narrabri RSL Sub-Branch president Gary Mason thanked the people of Narrabri in an open letter in The Courier.
The Courier and Wee Waa News also thanks the many residents who have sent in photos and video footage.
Jamie Condon’s JAC Productions will be producing as a community service, a special video as a memento of the day.

Cassidy Staines and Nate and Ally Cameron in Saunders Street.
Cassidy Staines and Nate and Ally Cameron in Saunders Street.

Annabelle, Polly, Sam and Edward Carolan waving their Australian flags at the ‘Waverley’ letterbox on Anzac Day.
Annabelle, Polly, Sam and Edward Carolan waving their Australian flags at the ‘Waverley’ letterbox on Anzac Day.

Michael, Sara-Jane and Elizabeth Horne wearing medals that belonged to their great, great uncle Colin Horne on Anzac Day.
Michael, Sara-Jane and Elizabeth Horne wearing medals that belonged to their great, great uncle Colin Horne on Anzac Day.

Back, Karen, Fletcher, Cruze Morley, front, Myami, Jeanetta and Ted Morley.
Back, Karen, Fletcher, Cruze Morley, front, Myami, Jeanetta and Ted Morley.

Cr. Cameron Staines representing Narrabri Shire Council.
Cr. Cameron Staines representing Narrabri Shire Council.

Vietnam veteran Brian Warren, Wee Waa’s only living World War II veteran John Collett and Vietnam veteran Dennis Lowder.
Vietnam veteran Brian Warren, Wee Waa’s only living World War II veteran John Collett and Vietnam veteran Dennis Lowder.

Narrabri Pony Club captains Bradley Miller and Rachel Charles.
Narrabri Pony Club captains Bradley Miller and Rachel Charles.

Donna Phillips and her sons Zac and Nigel Phillips honouring their cousin Private Nathanael Galagher who was sadly killed while serving in Afghanistan, in 2012.
Donna Phillips and her sons Zac and Nigel Phillips honouring their cousin Private Nathanael Galagher who was sadly killed while serving in Afghanistan, in 2012.

Susan Holmes’ display at her front gate. ‘And in the morning we will remember them ... Lest we forget’.
Susan Holmes’ display at her front gate. ‘And in the morning we will remember them ... Lest we forget’.

Miley and Jaylah Oliver, Myami Morley, Lexi and Ruby Oliver.
Miley and Jaylah Oliver, Myami Morley, Lexi and Ruby Oliver.

Luke and Riley Dauth-Searle at their Lloyd Street home.
Luke and Riley Dauth-Searle at their Lloyd Street home.

Beau and Alex Macrae. Beau is holding his great grandfather Malcolm Tyn’s medals and Alex is holding photos of his great grandfather Les Druce and his medals.
Beau and Alex Macrae. Beau is holding his great grandfather Malcolm Tyn’s medals and Alex is holding photos of his great grandfather Les Druce and his medals.

Johnny and Billy Brodigan at the ‘Bedemar’, Wee Waa farm gate wearing their great grandfather Edward Brodigan’s medals who served in World War I in France and relative Vincent Brodigan’s medals who served in WWII.
Johnny and Billy Brodigan at the ‘Bedemar’, Wee Waa farm gate wearing their great grandfather Edward Brodigan’s medals who served in World War I in France and relative Vincent Brodigan’s medals who served in WWII.

Sheryl and Stuart Barnes with their granddaughter Kaitlin Barnes.
Sheryl and Stuart Barnes with their granddaughter Kaitlin Barnes.

Constable Tania Willis and Acting Sergeant Daniel Cooper saluting at the Narrabri war memorial.
Constable Tania Willis and Acting Sergeant Daniel Cooper saluting at the Narrabri war memorial.

Bugler Peter Carrett and Wee Waa’s only living World War 11 veteran John Collett opting for a ‘COVID-19 style’ handshake or elbow tap. He listened to Mr Carrett who played the Last Post on his driveway at 6am on Anzac Day morning.
Bugler Peter Carrett and Wee Waa’s only living World War 11 veteran John Collett opting for a ‘COVID-19 style’ handshake or elbow tap. He listened to Mr Carrett who played the Last Post on his driveway at 6am on Anzac Day morning.

Former Narrabri resident Pat Fairless with a photo of her husband Neville. Mrs Fairless now lives on the Gold Coast.
Former Narrabri resident Pat Fairless with a photo of her husband Neville. Mrs Fairless now lives on the Gold Coast.

Servicemen and women remembered at dawn at the Narrabri RSL Club on Anzac Day.
Servicemen and women remembered at dawn at the Narrabri RSL Club on Anzac Day.

Isaac, Sharon and Elliott Mitchell with their grandfather and great grandfather’s grave.
Isaac, Sharon and Elliott Mitchell with their grandfather and great grandfather’s grave.

Ron Campey and Garry Mason at the Narrabri RSL Club.
Ron Campey and Garry Mason at the Narrabri RSL Club.

Anne Boehm, Pat Hearn and Dianne Streeter in Balonne Street. Pat baked some Anzac biscuits for morning tea.
Anne Boehm, Pat Hearn and Dianne Streeter in Balonne Street. Pat baked some Anzac biscuits for morning tea.

Tilly, Pip and Darcy Gleeson. Darcy and Pip are wearing their grandfather Maurice Gleeson’s National Service medals and Tilly is wearing Arthur (Bib) Gleeson’s First World War replica medal.
Tilly, Pip and Darcy Gleeson. Darcy and Pip are wearing their grandfather Maurice Gleeson’s National Service medals and Tilly is wearing Arthur (Bib) Gleeson’s First World War replica medal.

Laura and Ashley Finlay wearing their Narrabri Pony Club uniform on their horses Soxy and Shilo at their Maules Creek property gate.
Laura and Ashley Finlay wearing their Narrabri Pony Club uniform on their horses Soxy and Shilo at their Maules Creek property gate.

Wee Waa bugler Peter Carrett sounding the Last Post at 6am on his driveway in Alma Street, Wee Waa.
Wee Waa bugler Peter Carrett sounding the Last Post at 6am on his driveway in Alma Street, Wee Waa.

Hunter and Imogen Lubke-Wood in their Narrabri West School uniforms.
Hunter and Imogen Lubke-Wood in their Narrabri West School uniforms.

Julie and Malcolm Roy with Malcolm’s Willys jeep at ‘Atarau’, on the Kaputar Road.
Julie and Malcolm Roy with Malcolm’s Willys jeep at ‘Atarau’, on the Kaputar Road.

Laura, Cr Lloyd and Ashley Finlay laid a wreath on behalf of the Narrabri Shire Council at the Maules Creek remembrance monument.
Laura, Cr Lloyd and Ashley Finlay laid a wreath on behalf of the Narrabri Shire Council at the Maules Creek remembrance monument.

Nola and Barbara McNamara displayed the Australian and New Zealand flags at their home in Barwan Street to honour Anzac Day. Anzac Day has special remembrance as their father was a veteran from WWI having served in France. The New Zealand flag is to pay tribute to their mother who was born in NZ and lost relatives in WWI and WWII. Neighbours Hugh and Beth Palmer, Leonie and Justin Orman, Emma Robinson and Leah and Paul Lash joined Nola and Barbara McNamara and stood at 11am as the planes flew overhead in a solemn tribute. Pictured above: Leah Nash, Emma Robinson, Nola McNamara, Beth Palmer and Leonie Orman.
Nola and Barbara McNamara displayed the Australian and New Zealand flags at their home in Barwan Street to honour Anzac Day. Anzac Day has special remembrance as their father was a veteran from WWI having served in France. The New Zealand flag is to pay tribute to their mother who was born in NZ and lost relatives in WWI and WWII. Neighbours Hugh and Beth Palmer, Leonie and Justin Orman, Emma Robinson and Leah and Paul Lash joined Nola and Barbara McNamara and stood at 11am as the planes flew overhead in a solemn tribute. Pictured above: Leah Nash, Emma Robinson, Nola McNamara, Beth Palmer and Leonie Orman.

Life Without Barriers Narrabri keeping the spirit alive.
Life Without Barriers Narrabri keeping the spirit alive.

This is the display at Bob and Meg Rees’ Dale Street home. The frame on the left is the photo of the crew of the HMAS Sydney on which Meg’s Uncle Ellis Reeves was serving when it was sunk off the coast of Western Australia. The middle frame contains the DFC medals of Bob’s father Group Captain Rees who flew bombers throughout the Second World War and was shot down by his own fighter escort over Dunkirk. The medals on the ground are Bob’s grandfather’s who was also in the RAF after serving in the Royal Naval Air Service in World War I. The family photo is in memory of Bob and Meg’s daughter Lee Baker who passed away six weeks ago.
This is the display at Bob and Meg Rees’ Dale Street home. The frame on the left is the photo of the crew of the HMAS Sydney on which Meg’s Uncle Ellis Reeves was serving when it was sunk off the coast of Western Australia. The middle frame contains the DFC medals of Bob’s father Group Captain Rees who flew bombers throughout the Second World War and was shot down by his own fighter escort over Dunkirk. The medals on the ground are Bob’s grandfather’s who was also in the RAF after serving in the Royal Naval Air Service in World War I. The family photo is in memory of Bob and Meg’s daughter Lee Baker who passed away six weeks ago.

Part of Bernadette Onus’ display at her home in Kate Street.
Part of Bernadette Onus’ display at her home in Kate Street.

Bill and Debbie Hatch’s Anzac tribute at their Kelvin Vickery home, a tableau depicting a Digger amid memorial crosses, and an iconic emu and ‘roo, drew many comments from passersby.
Bill and Debbie Hatch’s Anzac tribute at their Kelvin Vickery home, a tableau depicting a Digger amid memorial crosses, and an iconic emu and ‘roo, drew many comments from passersby.

Pictured back Jemima and Georgie Powell, front, Rachel and Harry Powell at 'Riverview' Burren Junction honouring their great grandfathers - Flight Officer Gerald Brown who was a Rear Gunner of 'G' for George during World War II and Sergeant Maurice Powell who served in WWII.
Pictured back Jemima and Georgie Powell, front, Rachel and Harry Powell at 'Riverview' Burren Junction honouring their great grandfathers - Flight Officer Gerald Brown who was a Rear Gunner of 'G' for George during World War II and Sergeant Maurice Powell who served in WWII.

Children at the Wee Waa Nurruby Out of School Hours holiday program proudly displaying their Anzac Day sign. Pictured standing Bree Pillar, Payton Knight and WWOOSH educator Anita Wright, sitting back Celia Galagher, Edom Grebreselassie and Indi Johnson, sitting front, Lincoln Smolders, Jasmine Hastings and Nevaeh Knight.
Children at the Wee Waa Nurruby Out of School Hours holiday program proudly displaying their Anzac Day sign. Pictured standing Bree Pillar, Payton Knight and WWOOSH educator Anita Wright, sitting back Celia Galagher, Edom Grebreselassie and Indi Johnson, sitting front, Lincoln Smolders, Jasmine Hastings and Nevaeh Knight.

Ex-serviceman Leon Wagner sounded the Last Post from home at 6am on Anzac Day, he joined other Wee Waa Community Band members who also played at 6am.
Ex-serviceman Leon Wagner sounded the Last Post from home at 6am on Anzac Day, he joined other Wee Waa Community Band members who also played at 6am.

Michelle Gray decorated her front garden to pay tribute to servicemen and women on Anzac Day.
Michelle Gray decorated her front garden to pay tribute to servicemen and women on Anzac Day.

Anna Chaplain who helped her grandma, Narrabri Shire Councillor Annie McMahon with wreath laying duties in Wee Waa and Pilliga.
Anna Chaplain who helped her grandma, Narrabri Shire Councillor Annie McMahon with wreath laying duties in Wee Waa and Pilliga.

Ex-serviceman Dane Russell with his family, wife Caitlin and children Theodore, Penelope and Matilda.
Ex-serviceman Dane Russell with his family, wife Caitlin and children Theodore, Penelope and Matilda.

Community members including the Watts family decorated their gardens with signs as well as their letterboxes as a way of paying tribute to our servicemen and women.
Community members including the Watts family decorated their gardens with signs as well as their letterboxes as a way of paying tribute to our servicemen and women.

Erica Petersen joining fellow Wee Waa Community band members in sounding the Last Post at 6am on Anzac Day.
Erica Petersen joining fellow Wee Waa Community band members in sounding the Last Post at 6am on Anzac Day.

Susanne Kable joining fellow Wee Waa Community band members in sounding the Last Post at 6am on Anzac Day.
Susanne Kable joining fellow Wee Waa Community band members in sounding the Last Post at 6am on Anzac Day.

Scarlett Wohling joining fellow Wee Waa Community Band members in sounding the Last Post at 6am on Anzac Day.
Scarlett Wohling joining fellow Wee Waa Community Band members in sounding the Last Post at 6am on Anzac Day.

Maggie and Rachel Powell decorated their ‘Castlebar’ letterbox at Burren Junction as a tribute to servicemen and women.
Maggie and Rachel Powell decorated their ‘Castlebar’ letterbox at Burren Junction as a tribute to servicemen and women.

Siblings Charlie, Tess and Ted Haire who are members of the Wee Waa Community Band joined other band members in sounding the Last Post from their driveway at 6am on Anzac Day.
Siblings Charlie, Tess and Ted Haire who are members of the Wee Waa Community Band joined other band members in sounding the Last Post from their driveway at 6am on Anzac Day.