Sixteen red poppy artworks are on display at Ararat Gallery from a local Kindergarten to honour Remembrance Day.
Ararat Early Learning Centre (AELC) owner Kerri Turner said the four-year-old class had been learning about the significance of Remembrance Day, which inspired the art project.
“We read the book Lest We Forget that tells the story of those going off to war and highlights the two special days the grandfather in the book likes to remember, being ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day,” Ms Turner said.
“This opened up a discussion among the children, followed by art and crafts, where they had a chance to create poppies made from paper materials and flower petals.”
“We asked the children how they felt about seeing their works framed and displayed on the Gallery’s Community Wall – their response was ‘happy’, ‘beautiful’, and ‘it makes me think of the soldiers’,” Ms Turner continued.
“I’m delighted the poppies turned out so well – it’s so important that we teach young ones to remember as many of us would have had ancestors who served.”
Ararat Rural City Mayor Jo Armstrong was pleased to hear the student’s enthusiasm for the Gallery’s community wall in remembering the stories that matter most.
“With such a positive response from the first kinder display ‘The Butterfly Project’, we were equally proud to welcome back the kinder students from AELC for a very important project,” Cr Armstrong said.
“There are many ways for our community to mark Remembrance Day from wearing a red poppy pin, attending a commemorative service and in this instance, creating poppy craft.
“The children created red craft poppies which symbolise remembrance and hope.
“It’s important that we take the time to remember soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
“There are events in life you may wish to forget but this isn’t one of them – these are the days we need to honour and remember.”
