When Covid hit John and Heather Friend were happy to run an Anzac Day service for their fellow Thirroul residents in Nardoo Crescent.
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The husband and wife duo even agreed to run it on Sunday, hoping they could return to a traditional dawn service in 2022.
But the duo are victims of their own success and are now already looking forward to holding an Anzac Day service in Nardoo Crescent for a third straight year.
"Today was excellent. We had about 70 people show up," Mr Friend said.
"It was even more popular than last year's event.
"There were even a few new faces and people from nearby streets showed up so we may have to look at including nearby streets next year."
The short service started at 6am on Sunday.
Those in attendance first sang Amazing Grace, then listened to The Ode.
This was followed by The Last Post and a minute's silence before the Reveille.
The service wrapped up with the playing of the Australian national anthem.
'I'm glad we stayed the course. I thought originally we'd stop running it after the first year," Mr Friend said.
"This year has shown me that people really like the more cosy, informal dawn services.
"I really think more and more people might hold services throughout the region.
"We were lucky this year and had great weather.
"I think if the weather is good, there's no reason why we shouldn't hold it on the street again."
Mr Friend was particularly pleased to see so many families attend the service.
"The fact that the whole family can simply walk out of their house and walk maybe 50 metres to attend a service is a big bonus," he said.
"We saw heaps of young kids, which was fantastic.
"I really think it is the way of the future. people don't feel as shy to attend these smaller services because they pretty much know everyone there.
"I'm looking forward to tweaking the service a little bit to incorporate even more people next year."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
