TEARS were shed and stories shared when a large crowd gathered on Sunday for a memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bega bombing that claimed the lives of police officer Kenneth Coussens, his wife, Elizabeth, and their baby son, Bruce.
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Along with providing the families of those killed and the broader community with an opportunity to pay their respects to the Coussens', the ceremony also featured the unveiling and dedication of a monument to their memory.
Despite the substantial passage of time since the tragic event, the sheer magnitude of its impact on those left behind and the broader community was clearly evident throughout the afternoon - before, during and after the official proceedings.
Among those in attendance were NSW Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney; the sole survivor of the tragedy, Mrs Coussens' elder son Roger McCampbell, his wife and daughter; and Constable Coussens' sister, Winifred Martin.
In addition to the official party and a large contingent of police officers, young and old members of the Bega community filled the footpath and streets surrounding the Bega station.
Some brought with them their memories of the blast that shook the whole town, while for others curiosity and the opportunity to learn more about the incident provided their motivation.
A parade led by the Tarraganda Pipers and featuring local and visiting police officers began the official proceedings that featured addresses from Mr Moroney and Mr McCampbell, along with the Police Chaplain Graham Dempster and Superintendent Wayne Starling, who was the official host.
Rather using his time at the microphone to dwell on the incident that left him orphaned at just nine years of age, Mr McCampbell thanked everyone involved in organising and conducting the ceremony, saying it was a fitting tribute to his family.
He also spoke passionately about the need for the public to honour the courage, commitment and honesty of police.
In paying his respects to the Coussens family, Commissioner Moroney said the bombing was another stark reminder of the ultimate sacrifice so many emergency services' personnel had made.
Unveiling the monument, located in the front garden of the station and facing the site of the Coussens' house in nearby Girraween Crescent, the Commissioner read aloud the inscription that tells of the tragedy.
It concludes: "And now, beyond the cares and worries of this world, in calm and quiet, they rest in peace".
After the official ceremony Senior Sergeant Garry Nowlan, who was the chief instigator of Sunday's events and the erection of the monument, said he was pleased at how the day had panned out.
"I hope today's service and the construction of the monument is seen as a fitting tribute to the family and allows their memory to live well on into the future," Sergeant Nowlan said.
