The days seem to be rushing by in a flurry of Chelsea related activity. The minutiae involved in pulling this all together is astonishing … for the most part it’s Vaughn, Phillip Johnson’s project manager who is juggling all the balls. So with just on a month to go until we head off and 38 days I believe until the show opens … there is constant movement.
This week we had a wonderful turnout for the farewell from the Victorian Parliament for the poppies. In stunning sunshine … we sat for the cameras on the steps of Parliament House. It was fun for us … who have worked with the poppies for so long now, to be able to enjoy our day in the sun … and to see the poppies weaving their magic on our politicians and the general public. There were tears shed … it is a very moving tribute … and the Parliament House backdrop was amazing. And it was a huge bonus that there was a reception at Parliament for our Vietnam Veterans on that day so we had an opportunity to talk to them about the project … although most of them knew about the project … to see them close up was wonderful.
Our photographer Clare Takac’s images are spectacular and I can now tick another dream off my poppies list. Shrine of Remembrance 2013 … TICK, Anzac Day 2015 Fed Square and Princes Bridge …. TICK and TICK, Melbourne International Flower Show … TICK, Parliament House steps … TICK. RHS Chelsea Flower Show …. COMING SOON.
And then there is the ongoing dream … Western Front …. WATCH THIS SPACE, Anzac Day match, MCG Melbourne 2018 … STILL A DREAM and Australian War Memorial Remembrance Day 2018 … STILL A DREAM. Lots of planning and scheming yet to be done post Chelsea. Of course in between those times we have loaned our beautiful poppies to a number of organisations to support their own local commemorative efforts, and will continue to do so where we can. That’s all part of the dream too!!!
So … back to reality … and it looks like our wonderful Qantas sponsors will be begin shipping part of our precious cargo in the next week. 
The wait is nearly over!!!!
5000 POPPIES 
Every post on this 5000poppy site brings a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. My granddaughter is only 8 but I still hope I can share this journey with my great grandchildren. In hope, Diane XX
What an absolutely amazing achievement. A simple idea has gone onto the world stage! Congratulations to everyone involved with this important project. You have never lost sight of the original tribute.
I am not able to see the photos in this post. I’ve tried phone, tablet, computer and several browsers.