For World War II veteran Alf Carpenter, Saturday was an Anzac Day not quite like any other he had experienced.
But the COVID-19 restrictions did not stop the 103-year-old from marking the occasion, particularly in honour of the mates he lost in combat.
He recited the Ode of Remembrance at a neighbourhood commemoration in front of his Georgetown home, with about 50 people out on the street - all social distancing - there to pay their respect.
Mr Carpenter said this year's ceremony had a special feel.
"It was a real good Anzac Day, under the circumstances," he said.
"The line-up here was tremendous."
When Amanda Mock heard there would be no public 2020 Anzac Day marches or services, her heart sank.
Little did she know then, one disappointing situation could turn into a way of bringing her neighbours together during a difficult time.
She decided to invite the other residents in her Waratah street to gather at a distance and reflect together. There was everything you needed for a small commemoration - tea, coffee, rum, and, of course, Anzac biscuits.
Just before sunrise, the Ada Street residents lit up the street with candles and took a moment to reflect.
Related: 'Very special': The Hunter unites in a moving moment of reflection
A bugler played The Last Post and a speaker broadcast the words spoken at the Australian War Memorial service in Canberra.
"It was actually really quite special to be able to celebrate that with my street and to be able to acknowledge what those men and women did for us in the past," Ms Mock said.
"It was quite overwhelming and nice to bring the street together.
"I also think that given where we are at the moment, all isolated, I think that connection is something people have been longing for and just having a way to be able to connect was really nice in this time.
"We all live so close but yet we're all so far away and it was nice to have that unity.
"We're always so busy and we've never got time, everyone's rushing. It was just nice to reflect and do that as a street."
Photos from Anzac Day commemorations across the Hunter
Fellow residents Graehame and Leslie Alexander, who usually take their grandchildren to Anzac Day services every year, were grateful they could share the experience.
"It was a fantastic morning," Mr Alexander said.
"One of the ladies across the road made some Anzac biscuits and a couple of doors up, they made a cake. There were about two dozen people spread across the street."
Neighbours of all ages swapped stories of family members who had served in the Australian Defence Force, reflecting on the sacrifices those in previous generations had made. Mr Alexander said it was an opportunity they wouldn't have had otherwise and he was grateful for it.
"It's important for us to make sure all their sacrifices are not lost by carrying on the tradition of Anzac Day," he said.
"Through all their sacrifices, and indeed there were many, we were the ones who got that freedom. We look at [Anzac Day] as a day we can say thank you to all those who gave their lives and for all those who fought in all the wars around the world."
Mr Alexander said his grandchildren were "extremely proud" when they marched on Anzac Day last year, wearing their great-grandfather's medals.
"Their chests stuck out so far," he said.
No doubt Mr Alexander is looking forward to once again standing with his grandchildren at an Anzac Day service.
In the meantime, he is glad he could join his neighbours in a moment of reflection on a day so close to his heart.
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