Congratulations to the sub-branch on organising such a successful and entertaining evening. 

The ball was a moving event, commemorating our  Anzacs – those who left our shire to go off to war on the other side of the world to fight for our freedom and country and everything we take for granted today.

I wonder how many people within the Upper Hunter Shire actually realise how many young men, often several from each family, went to the Great War – many never to return to our valley.

I am proud of my ancestors who went to this war.

 My Uncle Percy Riley who left Stewarts Brook and was injured three times in France, to die from his injuries in England just before the end of the war. 

He is buried at Botley Cemetery Oxford and I feel a sense of honour when I have the opportunity to visit his grave in this far off country.

His brother Jack, enlisted at 16 and was injured in the war but he returned to the family at Stewarts Brook.

These were just two of my family but how many other local names went, with many to pay the ultimate sacrifice. 

They included boys from  the Adams, Meehan, Mychaels, Nicholson, Quinn, Collison, Pinkerton, Drummie, Cumberland, Taylor, Carter and Bell families to name a few. 

On Saturday night I don’t think anyone could have had a dry eye or at least a tingle down their spine as Tash and Raz sang our national anthems and Tash’s moving solo to our Anzacs. 

If this didn’t make you shiver, Mark Lawrence as the lone piper completed the fantastic  Anzac tribute. 

Again, thank you to the Scone RSL Sub-branch for their organisation of this event – you have done our shire proud. 

Those people of Scone and the shire who were not at the ball do not realise what they missed.