Poppies to illuminate Sydney’s iconic Opera House

The sails of the Sydney Opera House to be illuminated with a projection of a field of poppies at 8pm on November 11th, 2016.

Poppies to be projected on the Sydney Opera House to commemorate Remembrance Day Source: The Electric Canvas

The iconic Sydney Opera House will be illuminated with a projection of a field of poppies thanks to Mascot RSL’s President Paul Graham. 

The 77-year-old veteran was selling poppies at his local shopping centre, Eastgardens and to his surprise he learned that young people didn't know what the poppies represent.  

"Young people were saying: ‘What are these for?’" Graham tells SBS. "I was appalled."

Southern Courier's exclusive front page of The Poppy House with story on Paul Graham's idea to project poppies on the Opera House on Remembrance Day Source: Mark Nulty

Originally called Armistice Day, the Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the hostilities for the Great War (World War I), the signing of the armistice, which occurred on 11 November 1918—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was observed by the Allies as a way of remembering those who died, especially soldiers with 'no known grave'.

During World War I, 416,809 Australians enlisted to fight while 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after the end of the war as they grew in their thousands on battlefields in Western Europe despite the carnage that had taken place.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said in a statement today that, "Remembrance Day is a day of great significance to Australians and will be marked with services and events across NSW, and our most iconic building will be used to honour the bravery and sacrifice of so many."

"This year we mark the 98th anniversary of the end of the First World War, four years of conflict in which around 60,000 Australians lost their lives."

Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said, "for those who served on the battlefields of France and Belgium, the poppies were a familiar sight and are strongly associated with 11 November 1918 – the day the guns fell silent on the Western Front.” 

“I hope all those who see the spectacular sight of the illuminated sails will take the time to pause and remember the contribution of all our servicemen and women.”