They had rallied to Main Street to honour the fallen and their choice to gather at that time and place came from the reading of a '100 Years of Anzac' commemorative booklet created by member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead. The 12-page booklet listed dawn service times and locations in the Myall Lakes electorate, featured stories of local men and women who served in various military conflicts, and it flooded the region in the week prior to Anzac Day.

As people gathered and waited, confused conversations within the swelling crowd soon revealed that no dawn service was to be held. The booklet was wrong and it seemed their opportunity to participate in a dawn service was lost.

Greater Taree City councillor Alan Tickle calls Hallidays Point home. He had risen early and travelled to Taree to attend the 4.45am service in Fotheringham Park and as he returned home he chose to stop at Black Head Bowling Club and quickly learned that no service had been organised.

"We had one anyway!" Cr Tickle said.

"The greenkeeper at the bowling club got out the flag, I had the bugle in the car and a wreath from council that was to be used later.

"So we had a service including The Ode and the bugle calls and a young boy laid the wreath representing all assembled.

"His parents later commented that the young boy was so proud.

"At the end of the service we gathered together to sing the national anthem."

He chose to share the spontaneous Anzac Day experience on social media, posting on the Facebook page 'You're From Taree if ... "The spirit in the community to acknowledge the Centenary of Anzac is just so apparent judging from what I have seen today. A day to reflect, remember and to be grateful for the freedom we in Australia cherish."

The post rallied the community and was the catalyst for comments that congratulated Cr Tickle on his choice to act but also spoke of the community experience of the impromptu service.

Cr Tickle was, and is, adamant that it is a reflection of the community and quickly posted, "No, it was 'good on everyone'. Lovely feeling for all present to share that moment."

More than 420 people 'Liked' the Facebook post with comments including:

Peta Bunny Warren: "That's the spirit, that was the gift we received, the freedom to remember those who have given the ultimate gift, those that currently serve to protect our community. Well done Black Head."

Sally Hile: "Wow, that just brought tears to my eyes. Amazing."

Roxanne Dunn: "That is what we need in this town/country, people with leadership skills. Well done to all."

Shelly Cause: "Wow, that is so wonderful Alan. So many more of us not only want to partake but many of us are feeling we HAVE TO partake... It's a small price of our time to commemorate the fallen and returned diggers who gave so much to keep us in a Lucky Country."

Maree Burden: "I was at Black Head this morning Alan and it was wonderful. The spirit of the day was ever present and you've described what happened so clearly."

Jennifer Kokany: "That sounds absolutely perfect. I get a very strong sense of what Aussies are all about: Making the best of a situation. What a perfect day to do it too Alan!"

Jenny Quiring of Hallidays Point contacted the Manning River Times about the misinformation in the '100 Years of Anzac' booklet produced by Mr Bromhead.

She wrote to Mr Bromhead about the incident and said he "apologised for the incorrect time, meaning he didn't even read my email because the time was not wrong, the whole event was wrong."

The error and its impact comes in the wake of fallout from Mr Bromhead's decision to publish the incorrect time of the Taree Dawn Service in the booklet and to blame Taree RSL Sub-branch.

Earlier this week the Manning River Times revealed that Mr Bromhead took to social media to direct blame for public confusion at Taree RSL Sub-branch.

However this was strongly rejected by senior vice-president of Taree RSL Sub-branch and chairman of the Taree 2015 Anzac Day Planning Committee, Darcy Elbourne.

"The decision to change the time of the dawn service to 4.45am to more closely co-incide with the actual landing time in Gallipoli was made in June last year by the Anzac Day Planning Committee," Mr Elbourne said.

ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au

THE Manning River Times yesterday received the following statement from member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead.

"I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. The whole purpose of my brochure is to communicate to my constituents and assist them," Mr Bromhead said.

"It appears we have some events incorrect, however, prior to going to print my office have checked with the relevant people for events and timings. 

"This is my fourth year in putting out the Anzac brochure and this is the first time that there has been some errors in the Anzac Day events. 

"I will be looking at whether we include Anzac events in my next Anzac brochure, next year. 

Again, my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused." 

Anzac Day galleries around the Manning and Great Lakes | Mega gallery