Overflowing with poppies for Anzac centenary

The knitted and crocheted poppies, gathered to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, have been created and donated by people from around the state, as well as from Queensland and the ACT.

At working bees at the hospital last week, staff members, members of the hospital auxiliary, volunteers and friends sat at tables lined with shade cloth, carefully attaching every single poppy.

At another table, others pinned them on to plastic gutter guard, which will be draped between the honour boards of those who served in World War I.

Some are adorned with buttons from greatcoats; others have come with the name of a relative who was killed in the war.

Paula Savage, from the hospital's auxiliary, said the response had been almost overwhelming.

"They've come from everywhere. All well as all over the Mountains, we've received them from Brisbane, Canberra, the Hunter, Killara, Belrose, Woy Woy, Telegraph Point and Sans Souci, as well as places in between," she said.

Staff have been pinning them on in their lunch hour or tea breaks and one worker took some boxes home to get her daughter to help attach plastic ties.

The poppies will be unveiled at Springwood Hospital next Monday at 10am and at Katoomba on Tuesday, also at 10am, with morning tea to follow.

There is also an Indigenous reconciliation event, hosted by the hospital's reconciliation committee. It will be held at Katoomba on Wednesday, April 22, at 11.30 for a noon start and will include a smoking ceremony, traditional dance, guests talks from local elders and a possum skin cloak display.

On Anzac Day itself (Saturday), there will be a wreath laying and service at the hospital's memorial entrance by Katoomba RSL sub-branch, followed by morning tea.

All the events are open to members of the community. Please RSVP to Michelle O'Reilly on 4784 6514 or email michelle.oreilly@health.nsw.gov.au.