New ‘Poppies’ Sculpture Dedicated to War Service Personnel Resting at Centennial Park

Anzac Day commemorations will look somewhat different this year. One thing will not change; Anzac Day remains a day on which Australians reflect on the many different denotations of war. 

In dedication to the service personnel resting at Centennial Park, a sculpture has been installed to signify gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives in wars. In the lead up to Anzac Day, Centennial Park has revealed their ‘Poppies’ sculpture, within Derrick Gardens, facing the Cross of Remembrance, where Centennial Park’s Remembrance Day service takes place each year.

Centennial Park invited several artists and organisations to submit ideas relevant to the purpose of Derrick Gardens: to memorialise service personnel who sacrificed so much. From these submissions, Everlon were selected.

Everlon believe in creating artwork that synergises with the landscape. They understand the importance of memorialisation, being far more than a name and date upon a plaque, and their experience working on other war memorial projects across the country demonstrated they would be an ideal partner for this project.

‘Poppies’, consisting of poppies standing tall as well as a fallen one will not only be a significant installation to Derrick Gardens but will add a new dimension to Centennial Park’s rich tapestry, enhancing the existing collection of sculptures already installed in the Park for its visitors.

The red poppy has become a flower of remembrance symbolising those who sacrificed their lives in wars. During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium.

“’Poppies’ and its placement within Derrick Gardens justly represents the connection of war remembrance throughout the world.” said Janet Miller, CEO of Centennial Park.

“Also, in dedication to our war personnel resting at Centennial Park, our team members have placed in excess of 4,000 Australian flags on their headstones, in the lead up to Anzac Day. This, with ‘Poppies’ will add to the experience for our visitors at this important time of year,” Janet said.

Whilst the Covid-19 restrictions remain in place, limiting Anzac Day commemorations, Centennial Park, which is situated on 40 hectares, remains open and is encouraging people within the vicinity to visit the Park where there is plenty of space to maintain social distancing, whilst still being able to pay your respects.