A FIELD of red poppies will be a fitting tribute at a Bega Show falling on a year being marked as the Anzac Centenary.
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Members of the Far South Coast National Show committee are being assisted by the Bega Valley Potters group in the creation of around 200 ceramic poppies.
When complete, there will be a red poppy for each soldier from the Far South Coast who lost their life during World War 1.
They will be “planted” during the Bega Show’s opening ceremony on February 20, which will have as its very special guest the Governor of NSW, General David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d).
Show society secretary Narelle Griffin said descendants of those who lost their lives in WW1 will be asked to plant the poppies.
“We are trying to create a small replica of what’s at the Tower of London,” Ms Griffin said of the stunning 8000-strong field of poppies in London.
“And it is nice to have a military person to tie it all together.”
Each poppy is the size of a side plate, will be glazed “fire crab red” and have 60cm-long stems.
After being planted on a temporary field during the Friday night opening of the Bega Show, the poppies will be moved to a display that will include photos of each of the soldiers represented, also “planted” on long stems.
“This was an idea I had driving home in the car one day and now all these helpers have joined in!” Ms Griffin said.
“You just ask, and in this community people show up.”
Ms Griffin particularly thanked local historian Pat Raymond and Robyn Britten for their input.
If you have a family member from the Far South Coast who was killed in WW1 and you would like to be involved in this project, contact Narelle Griffin on begashowsecretary@hotmail.com or 0427 921 452.
