Memorial donates $30,000 in hand-crafted Armistice poppy sales to Legacy

A donation of $30,000, generated through the sale of hand-crafted poppies displayed at the Australian War Memorial for the centenary of the Armistice, has been made to Legacy Australia as part of Legacy Week.

Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson said it was fitting way for the symbolic poppies to make a personal difference to veterans and their families supported by Legacy Australia.

“Since 1923, Legacy has been a tireless supporter for veterans and their families, often at the most vulnerable and despairing times of their lives. Legacy Australia currently continues to care for 58,000 beneficiaries, including 2000 children and dependants with a disability, across Australia,” Dr Nelson said.

“After such a powerful and emotional display honouring the sacrifice of 62,000 Australians who lost their lives in the First World War, it is immensely pleasing that the poppies can also provide direct financial support to those who have given so much for us.”

As part of a program of activities in 2018 to mark the centenary of the Armistice that ended the First World War, the Memorial commissioned an installation of 62,000 unique hand-crafted poppies in its grounds. Each poppy represented an Australian life lost in the conflict.  

At the program’s conclusion, the poppies were made available for the public to purchase through the Memorial gift shop and online, as well as at Poppy’s Café, as a memento of the Centenary of Armistice commemorations and as a lasting tribute to the fallen soldiers of the First World War.

Poppies are still available for purchase in bunches of five, each poppy is finished in vibrant red tones complete with green stem (hand-stitched onto a wooden skewer). The handmade poppies were lovingly created by volunteers across the world as part of the 5,000 Poppies Project.

For more information about purchasing a bunch of hand-crafted poppies, visit the Memorial’s website.

To read more about Legacy Week or to purchase a Legacy badge go to https://www.legacy.com.au/.