Lynn Berry’s tribute to Anzac Centenary transforms Federation Square into cascade of poppies

A SEA of handmade poppies will cascade through Federation Square after one woman’s tribute to her war-serving father touched hearts all over the world.

200,000 crochet poppies being installed in Fed Square for Anzac Day. Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson with some of the 200,000 crocheted poppies at Federation Square Picture: Norm Oorloff

A SEA of handmade poppies will cascade through Federation Square after one woman’s tribute to her war-serving father touched hearts all over the world.

Lynn Berry’s plan to make 5000 crochet poppies to mark the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli blossomed into a massive art project with about 30,000 contributors.

More than 250,000 poppies will transform Fed Square before being moved onto the Princes Bridge for Anzac Day.

“Each one of these is very personal. People have written stories about their poppies and what they mean to them,” Ms Berry said.

“The response to it has been overwhelming.

“It’s a very emotional thing, that you can connect with so many people from this tiny spark of an idea.

“It’s been a massive community outpouring that shows our gratitude.”

The poppies have been crafted into 80 large panels to be displayed at Fed Square exhibition spaces until May 2, as well as a main display that will cover the forecourt

They have been sent in from all over Australia as well countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

“The fact they’ve come from overseas blows me away,” Ms Berry said.

“So too does the creativity used to make them.”

Ms Berry said they ranged from simple felt poppies that could be made in 10 minutes, to heavily beaded ones that would take days to make.

“We’ve got gorgeous ceramic ones, which are really delicious, right through to a stunning metal sculpture. And we’ve got really cute ones done by primary school kids,” she said.

“You cannot imagine the number of ways people can construct a poppy. It’s amazing.”

Ms Berry and her sister-in-law originally made 120 crochet poppies for Remembrance Day in 2013.

They “planted” them on stems under her father’s Battalion’s tree in the Avenue of Honour at the Shrine of Remembrance.

“While we were doing that people just got really interested in the project and starting making them,” Ms Berry said.

“We had one interview on Radio National and it’s gone berserk from there.”

Originally published as Lynn Berry’s tribute to Anzac Centenary transforms Federation Square into cascade of poppies