Project Poppy Box
Published on 20 April 2020
Every year on 25 April, Australia remembers the sacrifice of our men and women who have served or are currently serving during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. This year, Anzac Day will look very different for Australians as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite being required to stay at home, Australians are encouraged to mark this important commemorative day by pausing to reflect on the service and sacrifice of more than 102,000 Australian who have died for our nation.
While the poppy has traditionally been associated with Remembrance Day, it has increasingly been used on Anzac Day. The poppy flourished in the trenches and craters of the battlefield and came to represent the sacrifice of war. Poppies are traditionally used in Anzac Day wreaths and placed at memorials and honour boards.
This year, most people have not had the opportunity to publicly wear a poppy or purchase a badge in support of the RSL, due to social distancing restrictions.
Council has found a way to help communities show solidarity at home during isolation. People can demonstrate their respect and gratitude on Anzac Day by placing a cut-out poppy on their mailbox. The poppies can be picked up from outside selected businesses throughout the Shire from Monday 20 April or downloaded from the Council website https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Tourism/Project-Poppy-Box
The local RSLs and RSL Victoria have endorsed this initiative as a way to honour the men and women who have served our nation.
Other ways that people have thought of to recognise the service and sacrifice of our Anzacs are on our website and include inviting people to pay their respects on balconies, front gates and driveways at 6am on Anzac Day for #StandTo, in place of attending a dawn service.
Musicians are encouraged to learn and play the ‘Last Post’ at home to stand united in music and ‘in spirit’ in the Music for Mateship campaign.
The Australian War Memorial will hold a revised Anzac Day service with wreaths laid by representatives of the Commonwealth as well as current and former veterans. The national commemoration will be televised on the ABC. The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne will live stream the Dawn Service taking place behind closed doors in the Sanctuary of the Shrine.
For more information on the Project Poppy Box, as well as other ways to be involved in Anzac Day, visit the website http://loddon.vic.gov.au/Tourism/Project-Poppy-Box or call the Loddon Shire Council tourism team on 03 5494 1278.