Many locals and relatives of the Kurrajongs have been doing their part to prepare for the march, including a group of knitters and crocheters who meet monthly to create the poppies.

Re-enactment committee vice-president Ann Hodgens said they had around 4000 poppies so far. 

“There’s probably about another thousand that we know of to come in,” she said. People from all over the district and some from even further afield have contributed knitted, crocheted and fabric flowers. 

“Last week, a lady left us about 200 poppies that she and her friend had made”.

A group of ladies from Graman have also sewed 300 fabric poppies, one for every man who died during the war, to attach to little crosses in a separate installation. 

“It’s all part of our remembering the 1200 men and women from this district who served during World War 1”. 

Ann encourages all locals to get involved in the January 10 event. Re-enactors will be marching down Evans Street from Varley Oval, up Otho Street and over the Tingha Bridge to the Pioneer Village.

“You don’t have to march to be part of this great commemorative event. You can just come out and be on the street and wave a flag or wear a poppy”.

“In 1916, it was estimated that there were 5000 people in the street when these men were farewelled, so we hope that now with double the amount of the population of those days, that we’ll get at least 5000 people to come and observe the march”. 

“We’d like to thank everybody who’s contributed poppies for the project. It’s been a wonderful community collaboration”.