Poppy ref lection in town tribute
Nhill’s main street is again decked in red poppies as a fitting and spectacular tribute to men and women from the town and district who went to war for their country.
More than 2500 crocheted or knitted poppies hang from eight palm trees in Goldsworthy Park in the centre of the town’s shopping area and surround its soldiers’ cenotaph.
People have also added white poppies to acknowledge those who died in war or were victims of war and purple poppies to represent animals used during wars including horses, dogs and homing pigeons.
A gown of poppies is also on show in the Nhill Free Press window. The gown is titled ‘Vera’ after famous war artist Vera Lynn, whose singing spread comfort and hope across the world during the Second World War.
Wimmera Legacy member Pam Deckert and Rosie Clark, both with links to world wars and Vietnam War, covered a long gown complete with train with 2200 poppies.
Mrs Deckert’s late husband Daryl was a former Wimmera Legacy president and led Nhill RSL for 14 years.
Before Anzac Day in 2019, Nhill RSL Poppy Committee formed and called on the local community to knit or crochet poppies as a colourful memorial to honour the day. They planned to create a chain of 420 poppies to surround the town’s cenotaph.
Word spread quickly and poppies accumulated as people across Victoria and interstate responded.
“So many beautiful poppies continued to arrive that we needed a team of volunteers to create ‘poppy chains’ and attach them to nearby palm trees in the park,” Mrs Deckert said.
“They make a spectacular memorial display and are a powerful symbol of remembrance and soldiers’ resilience.”
Nhill’s Bi-rite Home Appliances store also has 1400 poppies on show in one of its large windows.
The poppies will be on show until after Remembrance Day on November 11.