IT is one of the Hunter's newest parks but on Saturday it was home to one of the nation's oldest traditions.

Gillieston Heights, the outer Maitland suburb hemmed in by water for several days, refused to let the roaring storm that isolated them dampen their Anzac spirit. 

Children donned their school uniforms as more than a dozen veterans and serving personnel wore the appropriate attire.

A shade cloth support was turned into a makeshift flag pole, and a bugler delivered a heartfelt last post.  

Resident Sandy Paul, who moved to the area just six months ago, decided to organise a service on Friday. 

By the time it rolled around on Saturday morning, hundreds of schoolchildren and servicemen lined the edges of a park named after a Hunter war hero.

Ms Paul, who usually attends dawn services in tribute to her late grandfather's World War II service, said the impromptu Gillieston Heights event was the most meaningful for her.

"It brings tears to my eyes," she said. 

"The fact that we are boating people in and we can't get out, I wanted to keep the Anzac spirit alive."

While the event bolstered the community's morale, Ms Paul said there was a deflation as the group gathered in the community centre afterwards. 

"We just found out 20 minutes ago our power is gone again," she said.

Bugler Karen Newton also captured hearts near Gilliestown Heights on Saturday after a stunning video of her playing the Last Post at Testers Hollow gained traction online.