In a surprise move for Anzac Day, a large speaker system played The Last Post at dawn over the Lismore valley from Claude Riley Memorial Lookout on Saturday.

Joel Spoor and Cameron McPherson surprised Lismore with sound on Anzac Day.

For those who heard it, the haunting sounds seemed like they were coming from somewhere close - but the lookout location was carefully selected by Northern Rivers Sound owner Joel Spoor as the launching pad for the amplified sounds.

Joel said he’d been told the sound was heard as far as 20 kilometres away, to Caniaba and Bexhill. 

“I know how sound works and know the area,” Joel said. 

“I went to the lookout and knew from there it would fill the valley with a consistent sound, not just a hotspot in one area.”

Joel said the idea was sparked when a friend, Cameron McPherson, approached him with an idea to hire some speakers to help commemorate Anzac Day in his local park.

“I wanted to make it bigger, so we joined forces and I covered some of the costs,” Joel said. 

“I supplied the speakers and Cameron hired a generator and a truck and some roadies to lift them.

“I run a production company and I’ve been booked to do plenty of Anzac day events in the past, but this coronavirus business has made my bookings turn to zero with every event cancelled.

“I had all this gear sitting round, so I thought I’d put it to good use.

“Lots pf people care about Anzac Day and it’s very dear to some and it bothers them they can’t commemorate it - I wanted to make it special for them.

“I played The Last Post first – event though it is traditionally played to mark the end of the day - then had a minute’s silence, then played The Rouse, then The Reveille.”

Caniaba

Christine Butcher and her daughter and husband commemorated Anzac Day from the heights of their Caniaba home – overlooking the foggy landscape below. (See the picture at the top of the story.)

“Normally we go to town to march, but this year put up a flag, a candle and made a wreath and watched from up high, rather than go to the end of our driveway,” she said.

“We had a view of Lismore airport to the east and Nimbin Valley to the west.

“My grandfather was a military man and we always like to make it special.

“A lot of people made a big effort this year – more than normal because they couldn’t go to the march.

“Even as we remember those who went off to war, coronavirus is bringing everyone together – and we celebrate our health professionals who are fighting for us too.”

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