With fewer than 50 days remaining, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant Minister of State Jennifer Howard urges all Queenslanders to consider how they’ll commemorate the Armistice Centenary – 100 years since the signing of the agreement which ended the First World War.
The Palaszczuk Government has committed $2.25 million to a statewide program of Armistice Centenary commemorations, which Assistant Minister Howard said will bring communities together to pay tribute to our past and present defence force personnel.
"The Armistice is a significant historic event and as we reach the end of the Anzac Centenary period, its anniversary gives all Queenslanders the opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by all servicemen and women for the freedom and lifestyle we all enjoy today," Ms Howard said.
The Armistice Centenary art installation, which includes thousands of handmade poppies inside acrylic letters that spell ‘REMEMBER’, is a centrepiece of the commemorations and will be on display in Townsville this weekend (6–8 October 2018), before visiting Mackay, Longreach, Bundaberg and Brisbane.
Ms Howard said it is fitting that the artwork is touring, as the thousands of paper poppies were handmade by Queenslanders from across the state.
"Thousands of Queenslanders have crafted handmade poppies for this project which honours each of the 57,705 Queensland soldiers who enlisted during the First World War," she said.
"Now thousands of Queenslanders will soon witness the impressive Armistice Centenary art installation as it tours the state."
Those still eager to contribute to the Armistice Centenary art installation can still create a digital poppy, including a personal tribute, which will become part of the Brisbane art installation.
More opportunities exist to mark the Armistice Centenary, including:
- attending Voices of Remembrance performances around the state. In Mount Isa, Scenic Rim, Charters Towers, Gympie, Cunnamulla and many more locations, community choirs will perform this special repertoire of classic and contemporary songs in honour of the Anzac spirit.
Voices of Remembrance will culminate in major commemorative concerts in Toowoomba and Cairns, featuring renowned baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and award-winning songstress Katie Noonan alongside talented local performers. Tickets and registrations for these events are now open.
- Many Returned and Services League of Australia (Queensland) sub branches, local councils and other organisations around the state will provide further opportunities to reflect on the Armistice.
- Communities will illuminate buildings, monuments and attractions with red coloured lighting or special digital projections, ring bells in remembrance, and/or host special events after traditional services.
