A sea of red poppies will greet the Ruby by Living Gems community on Anzac Day this year.
In a spectacular communal effort, more than 2200 red poppies have been knitted by residents for a tribute to the Anzacs to be laid in the Eagleby village’s Memorial Garden.
In “Ruby Gardens” — an over 50s lifestyle resort — Anzac Day 2020 was strange. Like all Australians, residents couldn’t gather, and couldn’t have more than a couple of people in their homes. They were isolated.
On April 25, a lone bugler played in the early morning air, and a single floral wreath was laid at the flagpole in the village’s Memorial Garden.
But after seeing the massive displays of poppies in past years in London and at Elephant Rock, Currumbin, residents Del Barbour and Helen Wilmot were inspired to ask knitters in Ruby Gardens to produce red poppies, and 25 knitters responded.
One has produced over 500, the rest varying numbers, but enough to make an impressive display.
Mrs Wilmot was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, while Mrs Barbour’s parents-in-law both served in the Air Force.
Mrs Barbour said because Anzac Day last year was so abnormal, with people unable to congregate and commemorate the day together, they felt Anzac Day 2021 would have to be special.
“We have come together in a different way to mark Anzac Day this year,” Mrs Barbour said.
“Our knitters have done a fantastic job, and the work of sewing the poppies to a net base was shared by ten residents.
“Special strips of purple poppies have been included to honour animals lost in war.”
