From a distance, Altona’s Logan Reserve seems to be blooming with poppies. But a closer look reveals thousands of poppies that have been crocheted, knitted and cut from felt.
The project commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and is a labour of love by the Country Women’s Association’s Altona Evening branch.
Sharon Walsh, a driving force behind the Pier Street Poppy Project, said it was a flow-on from the 5000 Poppies initiative that had crafters from around Australia sending poppies to be “planted” at Federation Square on Anzac Day.
“The general consensus was that we should honour our soldiers in our hometown,” Ms Walsh said.
“Our CWA ladies started knitting and crocheting. A call was sent out to our community and mums, nans, neighbours and friends began contributing to our project.
“Red wool became scarce, but over lots of cups of tea, 2000 poppies were made. The installation on Logan Reserve has been admired by many; photos have been sent to the USA, Japan and Germany.” The project was also entered in Hobsons Bay’s Art in Public Places program and is on display all month.
