Up early for the dawn service at my local RSL this year, I have again been reflecting on the meaning of ANZAC Day to me.
I am grateful to all of you who have served and sacrificed on our behalf. It is a solemn undertaking to be ready to put your life on the line for your Country. One that is deserving of our gratitude.
And while we say the Ode today, I will be remembering not only my father who served in WWII, and those of my family who went before him … but all of those men and women who have served … all those who did not come home … and all of those who came home forever changed … and those who may not see fighting, but serve in different ways both at home and abroad.
I am grateful. Thank you … as always … for your service.
And thank you to those families who share that service, and bear the brunt of it, both in the absence of a loved one, but also in living with the aftermath.
It feels a little (ok a lot) weird not to be putting and taking poppies all over the place this year, after six years with the 5000 Poppies Project. And, although we have done a couple of minor installations at the East Malvern RSL and again at the Shrine of Remembrance around the 14/32nd Battalion’s tree … we have not been involved in any major installations … instead we have been working on disseminating our huge asset to organisations around the country so that they can create new and beautiful installations in their local communities.
It’s heartwarming and feels right to hand on the baton now and watch in awe as the poppies we have been custodians of for the last 6 years make an impact elsewhere.
So send post your photos on our facebook group … show us your beautiful poppy installations … you know we are a community that loves to share.
LEST WE FORGET
5000 POPPIES 
Hi – What an experience for you all and what a fabulous job you guys did.
I noticed you were sharing your amazing collection with other organisations? Hopefully someone from the Mornington Peninsula is on the list of recipients?? If not, could I offer a new Men’s Shed as custodians of some poppies for use on days like today? I am vice-president of the Point Nepean Men’s Shed and I think it’s about time we connected with something quite fabulous.
Hi Terry … we have sent two of our lovely mats to the MP … the Mornington Library and the Frankston RSL. We still have a few left for distribution … happy to consider your organisation for the next round of rehoming. Can you send your details to 5000poppies@gmail.com