Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
A field of 1000 handcrafted poppies and wooden crosses made a poignant sight at Port Broughton for Anzac Day.
The crosses were laid out in a grid on the foreshore lawns to reflect overseas war graves of Australian service personnel.
Crocheted or knitted poppies in three colours – red to commemorate fallen servicemen and women, purple in remembrance of war service animals, and white to remember all the casualties of war, both civilians and armed forces – adorned the crosses.
Barunga West Council mayor Leonie Kerley was inspired to create the field after seeing a similar project to decorate the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
Mrs Kerley called on the public for assistance and said she got an overwhelming response, with volunteers from across the region and as far afield as Queensland offering to knit and crochet poppies.
Helpers from the Port Broughton Men’s Shed and retired Port Broughton Area School principal Roger Nottage made the wooden crosses.
“It’s such a wonderful community effort, and I’m grateful for everyone’s participation,” Mrs Kerley said.
“The project truly represents the spirit of community, as people from all walks of life come together to honour the sacrifices of those who have served their country.”
Mrs Kerley’s father, Tom, served in the Second Australian Imperial Force during World War II as part of the 2/22nd Lark Force.
“As a young soldier, Tom and his battalion were sent to defend and fortify the capital of Australian territories in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea,” she said.
“They were grossly under-manned and under-equipped, and when the Japanese invasion force arrived, the soldiers were left defenceless.
“Tom survived the ordeal and returned home, but he carried the scars of war for the rest of his life.
“His story is a reminder of the sacrifices made by Australian service men and women and why initiatives such as this are so important.”
Mrs Kerley said she hoped the display was a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives and those who returned to a difficult life after serving their country.
“This project is a poignant reminder that some things are too important to forget,” she said.
“The sacrifices made by those who served in war should never be overlooked, and the poppy installation serves as a fitting tribute to their memory.”
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 26 April 2023.
See the full Anzac Day coverage in the issue.
