Committee president Kim Blomfield talked to the class about the significance of poppies for remembrance and the importance of honouring local veterans. 

She invited them to join the town at the Pioneer Village for the re-enactment of the departure of 114 local men during World War I.

“A number of children put their hands up and said ‘I lost someone in World War I’, and that’s why we’re doing it. We were all touched by the war and I think our society is still quite damaged by that loss of life,” Kim said. 

Art teacher Louise Walburn was pleased the students were invited to be involved in the event, and said they would be dedicating their poppies to specific soldiers, in some cases, their own relatives.

Kim showed the students a laser engraving of the Kurrajongs train and badges made by children as part of the war effort.

“During the war years, children just like you, instead of making poppies for remembrance, they made badges for fundraising,” she explained. 

Poppies of all kinds, including paper, fabric, knitted and crocheted will decorate the town during Kurrajong week, thanks to the enthusiasm of locals.

“Our ambition was to paint Inverell red with poppies,” Kim said. 

She encouraged locals to dress in vintage or wear a poppy or rosemary for remembrance during the week.

“We want the whole town involved. We don’t want our men forgotten. 

“What we’re really doing is upholding the mayor’s promise of the day. He promised that the men would never be forgotten in Inverell”.