Attention: News Editors
WEAR A POPPY TO MARK REMEMBRANCE DAY 2008
REMEMBRANCE DAY POSTER ARTWORK AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA USE
I am writing to ask your on-air presenters, news readers and journalists to
wear a red poppy on Remembrance Day.
At 11am on 11 November 2008, Australians will pause for one minute’s
silence to mark Remembrance Day and acknowledge the 90th anniversary of
the end of the First World War.
More than 102,000 Australian servicemen and women have made the
ultimate sacrifice for our nation in wars, conflicts and peace operations from
the Boer War to the present day. Of those, some 61,000 died in the First
World War.
On 11 November, I ask you to pay tribute to these Australians by supporting
the tradition of wearing a poppy.
Red Flanders poppies were the first plants to grow amidst the devastation on
the battlefields of the Western Front.
Australians have been wearing poppies since 1921 to honour the memory of
those who lost their lives in service to our nation.
Poppies Available
The Returned & Services League of Australia sells poppies each year in the
lead up to Remembrance Day, with the proceeds supporting its welfare work.
Poppies are available from the RSL office in your state, or contact the RSL
National Headquarters on (02) 6248 7199.
Resources available for media:
Remembrance Day 2008 poster artwork for inclusion in Remembrance
Day coverage. High resolution images can be downloaded at
em_post.htm>
History of Australia’s involvement in the First World War, particularly
the Western Front.
Battle statistics
Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
NEWS 
