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Waking up in the early morning hours, journeying down to your local RSL or Beach for the Dawn Service, standing next to Soldiers, War Vets, School Kids, and your fellow Aussies & Kiwis, listening to the haunting notes of The Last Post played by a lone soldier, observing a moments silence to remember those that passed.
ANZAC Day is a significant day for Australian & New Zealander's alike. April 25th, marking the anniversary of Australian & New Zealand soldiers landing on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915. A day of mourning and commemoration, but also one of gratitude, pride & remembrance to remember those who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedom of generations to come.
Over 100 years on, ANZAC spirit is alive and strong with record numbers in attendance each year.
We highlight the best Flowers for ANZAC Day, and how you can use them to pay your respects on April 25th.
Rosemary
Rosemary, known for being found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula, is very popular on Anzac Day. This fragrant & aromatic herb is believed to have properties to help improve the memory and as a result, it became a symbol of both loyalty and remembrance in recent times. Traditionally, sprigs of rosemary are worn on the lapel on ANZAC Day and sometimes on Remembrance Day, and are usually often out by the RSL. Rosemary sprigs worn on ANZAC Day are often pinned to the lapel.
Flanders Poppy
One of the most associated Flowers with the First World War battlefields and the trenches of Western Europe. The Flanders Poppy is thought to have come about by the disturbance of soldiers tramping, marching, and fighting caused mass germination of poppy seeds.
More tragically, their blood-red flowers became symbols of the massive loss of life. This relationship was further strengthened after the war ended, when red paper poppies were sold as fundraisers for the wounded and damaged survivors.
More recently, the poppy, strongly associated with Remembrance Day, has also become popular on ANZAC Day. After the Dawn Service, families are often seen placing red poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, or beside the names of relatives on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour, as they do after Remembrance Day services.
Floral Wreaths
Finally, Floral Wreaths, often used in a more commemorative fashion by public figures, traditionally flowers have been laid on graves and memorials to commemorate the dead and have been used as far back as the ancient Romans to crown victors and mark those with honour. For ANZAC Day, wreaths are often made with Red Poppies and associated foliage to match, occasionally with matching flowers. If you are laying a wreath, the preferred method is to move up to the memorial with the wreath in the left or both hands, pause, lower and then lay the wreath, stand to attention, take one pace backwards and then bow the head and pause to remember.
Flowers Gold Coast wishes to pay our respect to those who we commemorate on ANZAC Day. Our Florist Vaiana holding French heritage and her Partner Sam, born & raised in New Zealand feel a strong affinity for this day and wish to pass our respects to those who've passed.