2024 ANZAC Day Poppy Sales Supporting Veterans
RSL Partners with Rotary Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle and the Ballina Shire Council for new Ballina tradition
As the dawn of ANZAC Day approaches, the spirit of commemoration and respect for our veterans grows stronger within the Ballina community. This year, the Ballina RSL Club, the Rotary Satellite Lifestyle Club, and the Ballina Shire Council have joined forces to create a memorable ANZAC Poppy Commemoration. This initiative not only pays tribute to our veterans but also strengthens the bond within our community through a shared act of remembrance and support.
A Tribute Inspired by Community Leaders
The ANZAC Poppy Commemoration owes its inception to the vision and dedication of Helen Hargreaves and Laurie Jackson of the Rotary Satellite Lifestyle Club. Their inspiration for this initiative has mobilized numerous local groups and individuals, highlighting the deep respect and gratitude our community holds for those who have served our nation. Through their leadership, the commemoration has become a beacon of unity, remembrance, and support for veterans’ services in our area.
Show Your Support
In the heart of our community, an opportunity arises for each of us to show our appreciation and support for those who have served. By purchasing a hand-knitted poppy for $5 from the Ballina RSL Club, you are not just acquiring a symbol of remembrance; you are contributing to a cause that supports our veterans’ services in our local area. These poppies, crafted with care and dedication by members of the Rotary, the Country Women’s Association (CWA), and numerous private individuals, are more than just decorations. They are tokens of gratitude, each carrying a message of respect and acknowledgment for the sacrifices made by our veterans.
The project’s ambitious goal is to create 5000 handmade poppies, destined to adorn wreaths for the main street of Ballina to help commemorate ANZAC Day. Funded by a grant from Ballina RSL, the project ensures all proceeds are donated to Legacy Far North Coast, offering poppies for a $5 donation at Ballina RSL.
Legacy provides supports families of those who served and sacrificed, providing the essential social and financial support to the partners and children of fallen or injured veterans.
Purchased poppies are pinned onto meter tall display in the foyer of Ballina RSL, for the enjoyment of the public, visiting service personnel, and veterans.
ANZAC Day is comemmorated every year at the RSL Memorial Park, adjacent to the Ballina RSL Club
The poppies initiative aims to involve the community in the commemoration of this special day for our veterans
The Memorial Wall
Upon purchasing a poppy, you are invited to place it on the memorial wall located in the club’s reception. This poignant display serves as a visual representation of our community’s collective gratitude and remembrance. As ANZAC Day dawns, this display will be moved outside, taking a central place during the commemorative service, allowing the broader community and visitors to reflect upon the significance of the day.
Community Involvement
The commitment to commemorating our veterans’ sacrifices is further highlighted by the efforts of the Rotary and Ballina Shire Council. In the leadup to ANZAC Day, flag banners showcasing the knitted poppies will adorn the main street of town. This initiative not only beautifies our town with these symbols of remembrance but also sets the stage for the ANZAC march to the Cenotaph. The banners will remain on display throughout the event, framing the march and the commemoration in a vivid display of community support for our veterans.
Join Us in Remembrance
This ANZAC Poppy Commemoration is a testament to the strength and unity of our community in Ballina. It is a call to action for each of us to play a part in honoring the legacy of our veterans. Through the simple act of purchasing and displaying a poppy, we can all contribute to supporting the services that care for our veterans while also paying tribute to their bravery and sacrifices.
We also hope to see you on ANZAC day for our memorial service. The main order of service for Ballina ANZAC Day is as follows:
0530hrs – Dawn Service, RSL Memorial Park, 1 Grant Street Ballina
0600hrs – $5 Breakfast for General Public
1030hrs – ANZAC Day March, River Street Ballina
1055hrs – ANZAC Day Commemorative Service, RSL Memorial Park, 1 Grant Street Ballina
Public wreath laying will be conducted at both services.
We encourage everyone in the Ballina community and beyond to join us in this meaningful commemoration. Together, let’s make this ANZAC Day a profound expression of our gratitude and respect for those who have served.
