The longest-serving and final town crier in the Blue Mountains, Dennis Hitchen, would have cheekily tipped his blue tricorne hat in approval at the pomp and ceremony on display at his funeral at Lawson Anglican Church last Friday.
Leading the procession to and from the church along Honour Avenue, in full traditional kit, were the president and vice president of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers - Shire of Strathbogie (Victoria) town crier James Carter and Parkes town crier Tim Keith.
"Dennis was a real character, he had a wicked sense of humour and whenever we'd put a skit on [at tournaments], Dennis would want to lead it," Mr Keith said.
Mr Carter described him as "a delightful town crier, a real family man and a true gentleman".
"He was very charming and [when performing] he could put up a crisp upper lip if he had to, at will," Mr Carter said.
More than 80 relatives and close friends came to pay their respects to Mr Hitchen, who served with heart and cheer as Blue Mountains town crier between 1997 and 2012, welcoming countless numbers of tourists and special guests at festivals and civic receptions.
Mr Hitchen also competed at many town crier national championships, coming second in the over 65s category in Moree in 2004 and third in Toowoomba in 2009.
He passed away peacefully at his Lawson home on September 18, aged 82, following a long illness.
In a tribute speech, close friend, Lawson identity and former mayor Michael Neall, shared how he'd suggested to Mr Hitchen upon his retirement as executive engineer at council in 1997 that he'd make a terrific town crier, "given he was a very fine actor and singer in local musical productions - and that certainly turned out to be the case".
"It was only five weeks ago that Dennis received a very special certificate from council in recognition of his service to the community," a moment, his family added, that brought him much joy.
In an interview with the Gazette in early July, Mr Hitchen said the key to being a good town crier was "being prepared to be a good ambassador for your city".
"That's what I enjoyed the most, promoting the Blue Mountains," he'd said.
Mr Hitchen will be deeply missed by his wife Gladys, his children Eleanor, Charles and Dennis, children-in-law Tina and Jim and honorary siblings Michael, Margaret, Jennifer and Josephine.
