They're all words which could be used to describe the scene at Kendall on Friday when the community reflected on William Tyrrell's fourth birthday. However, there remained one missing ingredient - their little Spiderman.

You didn't have to drive far to realise he remained at the forefront of everyone's minds.

From the red and blue balloons which hung from the pillars of the Royal Hotel located just off the Pacific Highway to the inflated Spiderman balloon which fluttered freely in the breeze next to the newsagent across the road.

"Happy fourth birthday William" was scrawled in blue paint on a red sheet and draped from a second-floor verandah.

And that was before walking down Benaroon Drive - where William was last seen in September last year - where balloons were attached to every letterbox in the street.

As the sun sank below the horizon on Friday afternoon nine candles were lit and placed in front of a shrine for the toddler out the front of Jodie Kelly's house. They symbolised nine months since the-then three-year-old disappeared from his grandmother's front yard.

Those in attendance all had a drink for William, reflected and prayed for his safe return.

Mrs Kelly's daughter Stacey said she had grown up in the quiet Mid-North Coast town and as a result of William's heartbreaking disappearance now better appreciated what she had.

"I went for a walk today around Benaroon Drive and to see all the balloons on letterboxes ... it gave me goosebumps knowing we're all one community and we're all in this together," she said.

"It's a special community and it makes you realise what you have."

One Benaroon Drive resident said the balloons were left in mailboxes along with a note encouraging residents to hang them from the front of houses.

"We just wanted to do our bit to help out, much like anyone would," he said.

"It wouldn't have mattered if all this had have happened in Port Macquarie, we would have done the same thing."

After co-ordinating the canteen at the Kendall Showground nine months ago, Dunbogan's Karlee Butler admits the time since had been difficult but refused to give up on the possibility William could be returned.

"It's just pure hope that keeps us going. You wake up every morning hoping it's going to be the day they find him and there's just an urgency for answers," she said.

"I'm confident he's not out in the bush. He's not here. He might be in Port Macquarie or somewhere, but he's not here. There hasn't been a blade of grass left unturned, a house not looked in or a drain or creek left undredged in Kendall. He's not here."

She said a shrine had been set up at her house for the missing four-year-old.

"While I don't have children of my own I have a nephew, we baked a cake together for William on Friday and it's really difficult to try to explain to him that William isn't where he should be," she said.

"I just hope whoever has William loves him and is taking good care of him."

The Kendall, Port Macquarie, Mid-North Coast and Australian communities all remain desperate for answers, but Ms Butler knows the police are doing everything they can.

"It must be hard for them to keep searching and keep coming up with nothing, but the people of Kendall are hurting and they want answers," she said.

"But no one has forgotten about little William and he will always be in our hearts."

She said the effect of the missing Kendall four-year-old would be felt for some time and suggested it could change the way parents look after their children.

"My sister has two boys and I know this has made her wary and a lot more cautious and protective of them."

Rheannon Chapman said the missing toddler's whereabouts remained an unfortunate topic of conversation.

"We've all had discussions about where we think William could be and it is frustrating," she said.

Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin renewed calls on the importance of people coming forward if they had information about what happened on that September day.

"It doesn't matter how small that piece of information is, (the investigation) is like a jigsaw puzzle," he said.

"I stress for anyone who has information to come forward. You have the responsibility to come forward. A child being abducted is not acceptable and we know there were people in that vicinity (on that day) who still haven't come forward.

"If he had not been targeted, William would be with his mum and dad, his sister and other loved ones, blowing out candles on his birthday cake and happily opening presents."

paul.jobber@fairfaxmedia.com.au