Beaton Park is normally buzzing at the start of Relay for Life, with cancer survivors, carers, families and friends decked out in yellow and purple crowding in for the opening ceremony.
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But this year, due to the pandemic, the athletics oval was quiet and still, as the event - like many others over the past few months - went virtual for its 20th year.
With just a handful of committee members manning a stall at the oval to hand out t-shirts, collect raffle tickets or support to anyone who dropped past, the ceremony was posted as a pre-recorded video online.
With the event rebranded as Relay Our Way, community members all over the city took part in smaller events of their own making. Organisers stressed that this did not change the strong spirit of the day, even though participants were separated.
"We can still ignite that great sprit of Relay by taking part in today's activities in your home, in the park or wherever you may be," committee chair Stuart Barnes said to the dozens of teams taking part.
At Billabong Avenue, Dapto, the street was turned into an all day Relay fundraiser, with a kids' jumping castle, coffee and ice cream vans adding to the festive atmosphere. Organiser of Team AHM, Michelle Ford said people were encouraged to join in for a walk in the street to raise money for the cause.
"This is our 13th year and it's my personally 18th year doing Relay for Life," she said.
"We feel it was really important to still do it today to raise awareness, raise some funds and have fun with our team, remembering friends and family that we have lost and that are fighting the cancer battle."
In Horsley, Edy Bianco led Team Tam - in memory of his 16-year-old daughter - for his 12th year taking part in the event.
"This year we're doing something different, doing it our way due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and we're doing a track around Horsley over six hours," he said.