Little St Simon and St Jude Church was busting to contain the reverence and the pride Bowral holds for The Don.

But Wednesday’s thanksgiving service also saw a massive load lifted from his family’s shoulders following his death more than a month ago.

The Bowral service went beyond the solemnity and embraced what he would have wanted; a little bit of humour and a sense of celebration.

During his eulogy, Bradman Foundation director Richard Mulvaney called for three cheers to which the congregation indulged in uproariously.

More than 500 people squeezed into the church to hear an upbeat but befitting tribute to a true hero.

Among them were Bradman Museum patron Sir Roden Cutler, former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor, Sir Donald’s niece Lilian Owens and Kamahl, who sung a dramatic version of The Lord’s Prayer.

There was his son John Bradman and his family, Lillian Underwood, sister of Sir Don’s late wife Jessie, and Freda Bashford, the daughter of his Bodyline nemesis Harold Larwood.

Mr Mulvaney reiterated Sir Donald was just a human being who was very much influenced by his family, his friends and his upbringing.

He said people should remember The Don for his integrity, modesty and great love he held for his wife.

“In 1949 he became the only Australian cricketer to be knighted,” Mr Mulvaney said.

“He remarked on receiving the award; ‘this is an honour that I never sought or dreamed about. If there had nobody else to please but myself, I would prefer to remain just plain mister ...

‘But one thing I do feel very proud of, and that is few people have ever carried the title of lady as graciously as my wife has, and if ever a woman deserved to be called a lady, she did’.”

Mr Mulvaney also recounted how Sir Donald told him it was “ridiculous” people kept tagging him the Boy from Bowral despite being of advanced years.

With his death, we must not turn him into an icon or a religious figure, he was merely a man,” he added.

Following the service, the congregation gathered at nearby Bradman Oval for a short dedication ceremony conducted by The Rev. Canon John Livingstone.

It was there, John Bradman announced his father’s ashes would be scattered in his boyhood town.

He requested that there be no more “speculation on the matter”.

And the public should heed him.

Now, there’s a sense of closure about the Bradman phenomenon. He can finally rest in peace.