David Elliott Minister for Counter Terrorism Minister for Corrections Minister for Veterans Affairs MEDIA RELEASE Friday, 10 November 2017 POPPIES RETURN TO THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE The sails of the Sydney Opera House will once again light up with red poppies to mark Remembrance Day and to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac. Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said the projection of the Flanders poppy on to an iconic Australian landmark reinforces the respect and appreciation that the community has for our service personnel. “On Saturday, we mark the 99th anniversary of the end of the First World War, a conflict that devastated so many Australian families,” Mr Elliott said. “At 11am we will remember the 60,000 Australian men and women who served their nation, and also acknowledge the tens of thousands of Australians who have served in conflicts since.” “The Flanders poppy is a symbol of sacrifice and loss. For those who served on the battlefields of France and Belgium, the poppies were a familiar sight and they are strongly associated with Armistice Day. “It is fitting that our most iconic building will be used to honour the bravery and sacrifice of so many, reinforcing our respect and appreciation of Australia’s service personnel.” The lighting of the sails will take place on Saturday, 11 November from 8pm to 1am Sunday 12 November. Mr Elliott also encouraged the community to take part in the Buy a Star campaign, offering the people of NSW a chance to be part of the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project, a major redevelopment of the Hyde Park Memorial. “The Anzac Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park was completed in 1934, in part thanks to the sale of the golden stars that now adorn the dome of the ceiling in the Hall of Memory,” Mr Elliott said. “Now, stars can also be purchased in a digital render of the dome and personal tributes added in an online Constellation of Honour and Memory on the Memorial’s website.” Buy a Star for the Anzac Memorial - http://www.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/buy-star .