Club builds on Anzac Day preparations

THE Rotary Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle has expanded its Poppy Project and has been boosted by schools and business owners coming on board to help in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

The project began last year as way to engage the community with a number of initiatives before Anzac Day.

With the help of the Ballina RSL Club, the group made poppy wreaths and banners which the council hung on six flagpoles in River Street.

This year, the rotary club has extended the project along the main street and have included Ballina Fair Shopping Centre.

“We want to get more of the community engaged in Anzac Day and its importance to all of us,” Rotary club secretary Helen Hargreaves said.

“We’ve got nine schools involved and most of the businesses along River Street are keen to get involved with some sort of display.

“We’re really pleased so many people are willing to participate by decorating their own windows or linking up with a school to help highlight their work.

“Ballina Fair has decorated its windows and have offered space for displays inside the centre.

“A huge amount of people visit the shopping centre each week, so it’s great to have a presence in there, too.”

A metre-high structure of Anzac letters will be placed in the foyer of the RSL Club, with poppies available to pin on the letters with a message of remembrance.

The handcrafted poppies are also on sale for $5 at the club, while wreaths, banners and letters will remain in place throughout April.

Any school or business wanting to be involved can contact the Rotary club at [email protected]