Poppies count the cost
Toowoomba’s war dead symbolised in a sea of red
A RED poppy for every name inscribed in the marble of the Mother’s Memorial, spreading across the green grass of Rangeville State School.
Taking inspiration from the Australian War Memorial, an estimated 100 pairs of hands have contributed to a moving project honouring Toowoomba’s war dead for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.
Rangeville State School community’s 443 Poppies Project symbolically represents the 443 Toowoomba and district soldiers lost in World War I with an individual knitted or crocheted poppy.
Community members including grandparents and past teachers contributed to the project.
Placed in an open grassed area in the middle of the school, the scattered placement represents how soldiers fell in battle.
The 443 Poppies Project is not the only way students will commemorate this week.
This morning, rare, centuryold honour boards that have been lovingly restored will be unveiled ahead of tomorrow’s 100 year anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.
The Rangeville State School honour boards were donated in honour of past students who served in World War I, and contain the names and photographs of 58 World War I servicemen, 20 of whom are past students of RSS.
The Rangeville State School Parents and Citizens Association partnered with Queensland Museum to conserve the honour boards.
Rangeville State School Head of Curriculum Jan Burton said the rare photographic memorial boards were 100 years old and their timely conservation was a fitting tribute for the Armistice centenary.
“It is wonderful that our P&C continues custodianship of this important piece of Toowoomba history, honouring the service of these soldiers and the Rangeville parents who created this tribute to their sons 100 years ago,” Ms Burton said.
The project was made possible with $7,853 of funding provided by the Queensland Anzac Centenary grants program which supported the restoration of the boards, gold leaf writing, and photographs.
More Remembrance Day stories on Pages 8 and 9.