REMEMBRANCE DAY POPPIES FOR OPERA HOUSE

The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up with red poppies to mark Remembrance Day and to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac tomorrow.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant and Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said the projection of the Flanders poppy on to an iconic Australian landmark reinforces our respect and appreciation of Australia’s service personnel.

“Remembrance Day is a day of great significance to Australians and will be marked with services and events across NSW, and our most iconic building will be used to honour the bravery and sacrifice of so many,” Mr Grant said.

“This year we mark the 98th anniversary of the end of the First World War, four years of conflict in which around 60,000 Australians lost their lives.”

The unique tribute follows a suggestion from Mascot RSL President, Paul Graham.

Mr Elliott said the Flanders poppy is a symbol of sacrifice and loss for all Australians.

“For those who served on the battlefields of France and Belgium, the poppies were a familiar sight and are strongly associated with 11 November 1918 – the day the guns fell silent on the Western Front,” Mr Elliott said.

“I hope all those who see the spectacular sight of the illuminated sails will take the time to pause and remember the contribution of all our servicemen and women.”

The lighting of the sails will take place at 8pm on Friday, 11 November.