A UNIQUE DAY
Today at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month it will also be the 11th year of this century. 11-11-11-2011
It was at 11.00am on the 11th of November 1918 that the Armistice Treaty was signed at Versailles. The guns fell silent across the battlefields of The Somme and the awful conflict of World War One ceased.
I quote the editorial of my local Border Post newspaper, written by Ewan Leighton:
It’s almost been a century since more than 60,000 of Australia’s finest died in World War One. Since that time, countless more have been killed in conflicts around the world. It is this time each year that communities across Australia come together to remember our fallen soliders, and to pay tribute to the price they paid for the life we live today. On Friday November 11 the Last Post will play through the Stanthorpe CBD. This significant date marks nine decades since the armistice that ended World War One. It is time not to remember the conflicts but to pay our respects to past and present soldiers werving overseas. It is hard to escape the violence that is war when we still have thousands of our best men and women risking their lives everyday. Younger generations don’t seem to realise the importance of Remembrance Day and the significance it holds for many Australian families. It’s important to ensure younger generations grasp the fact that thousands of our best men and women are risking their lives everyday. On a positive note, Rememembrance Day parade numbers appear to be on the rise both locally and nationally. On a local level residents should go and see the amazing poppy field cultivated by Fay Helwig at Glen Aplin. It is crucial for all Australians to take one minute out of their lives tomorrow to remember those who have given theirs – lest we forget.
Michael & Lauren 2003
Michael and Lauren are seen here raising the Australian Flag above our Remembrance Field at Glen Aplin in 2003. This year Michael graduated from the Brisbane Boy’s College yet I am sure he will still remember this special honour.Every year it is a challenge to germinate the Flanders poppy seed in the soil of the Remembrance Field during July so that the field will reach its blooming peak for 11th November. In my September post I published photos of the progress we had made weeding the thinning the poppy crop. The first poppies opened their buds on the 9th October.
First poppies
A sunny morning in mid-October
By mid-October the preparation of the field had been completed and and I flew off to Hong Kong for a short holiday with my son and his family. By then a dozen red Flander poppies were scattered amongst the green foliage.
During my absence there were a couple of wet days to nourish the crop. I returned at the end of the month to a glorious and rewarding sight.
First day of November
What an amazing transformation! Yet it is what I have come to expect since we first established this Remembrance Field. The first year that we opened it to the public was in 1996. But this is the first year that I have incorporated water absorbent crystals into the soil and relied entirely upon natural rainfall to grow the poppies.
Fay amongst the poppies
With the poppies waist height on me it was then time to contact media outlets and generate some publicity to advise people that this living memorial was open to the public. Anyone is welcome to drive in along our entrance road and park their cars beside the Remembrance Field while they photograph this tribute.
TV Network Ten helicopter
Amanda McLeay from TV Channel Ten flew in with a photographer and spent just over an hour here recording footage of the scarlet Flanders poppies and recording an interview with me.
Amanda McLeay
Today arrangements have been made for me to be interviewed by telephone for ABC radio this morning. Later in the day I will be welcoming bus groups and other visitors.
I’ll leave you now with a couple of views of the Flanders poppies which have been taken from within our garden.
Over the garden fence
From the veranda
The Remembrance Field will remain open to the public until 20th November.
Wildflowers, wilderness and wine
My book Wildflowers, wilderness and wine details why and how Eberhard and I established this magnificent display. It is available directly from me, or online from www.australia-book.com.au
Australians and oververseas readers may download copies from www.lulu.com/spotlight/strictlyliterary
