This presentation was part of the Makers, Craftivists and Public Libraries seminar held at the State Library of NSW, 6 May 2015. About the City of Ryde commemoration for ANZAC Day 2015. This library run initiative was a strong collaboration across all of council, and many people in the community were involved.

1. 2000Poppies
Angela Phippen
Local Studies and
Family History Librarian
City of Ryde

2. • Began November 11, 2014 – completed 25 April,
2015
• 2,000 was the number of enlistments from the
area during WWI
• Each poppy was dedicated to either a local
soldier/sailor/nurse or a family member
• Individuals who wanted to dedicate a poppy (but
had not made it) made a gold coin donation to
Legacy

4. LAUNCH

7. POPPY
MAKING
WORKSHOPS

27. Involving the
Mayor

30. GIANT LETTERS!

38. VALUE ADDING

41. TAKING ONE (OR
TWO) FOR THE
TEAM

44. DEDICATION
EVENTS

46. FINALE

52. • In the end 3,100 poppies
• There is only one centenary of 25 April, 1915
• Cross cultural/across all generations
• Achievable in a session
• Any skill level

53. • Set a target
• Project should be meaningful, possibly
practical
• Need a leader, someone with a passion to
drive a project
• Need a team – a ‘reservoir of goodwill’

57. • Be flexible
• Don’t underestimate the value of the ‘photo
op’ and all other publicity/promotion
(Rates notices, newspapers, Mayor’s
column, Library newsletter What’s On,
Facebook, Council website, Pinterest, radio
interviews, brochures, bookmarks, plasma
screens, established knitting groups)
• Have prepared ‘personal’ stories
• Take good photographs

60. • Think of the time involved
• Think of timing
• Think of required workspace/storage space
• Value add - but keep it manageable
• Have specific resources to assist cross cultural/cross
generational
• Distinguish between creation of items and display of
items
• Have a ‘final’ event

62. Angela Phippen
aphippen@ryde.nsw.gov.au
9952-8353