Crochet ANZAC Poppies with Tarsha Davis

Join us on ANZAC Day Eve reflect and come together to remember the First Peoples service men and women who fought in the Australian Armed Forces.  

The poppy’s connection to remembrance stems from the First World War, where red poppies were among the first plants to bloom on the battlefields of Flanders.  Poppies of other colours have also come to have their own symbolic resonance around war and remembrance.

In this workshop, Tarsha Davis (Kuku Yalanji, Palawa) will guide us through making a crocheted poppy, which can be customised with your own symbolic ideas and colours.

• Tools and materials are supplied.
• Feel free to bring your own materials if desired (yarn and hooks)
• Beginners welcome, but some previous crochet experience will help.
• Light catering is also provided.
• Session is free but bookings are essential.

About Tarsha

Tarsha Davis, 2024 (photo: Christian Cupurro)

Tarsha Davis is a Kuku Yalanji and Palawa artist based in Naarm. A multidisciplinary creative, her practice spans painting, digital art, weaving, jewellery making, and textiles. Weaving has become an important part of her work, drawing from family-taught techniques to create jewellery, baskets, and woven sculptures. Through her art, Tarsha explores connection, cultural reclamation, and advocacy, with a focus on community engagement and wellbeing outcomes.

Tarsha is an alumni of the KHT Blak Design Program (2024) and her work can currently be seen in our exhibition “Stitchin’ Stories – Blak and Threadly”

More about ANZAC Day for First People

To mark ANZAC Day on 25 April, this workshop aims to honour the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in the armed forces and reflect on key themes and legacies of that involvement. 

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC day is held each year on 25 April. This date marks the anniversary of the first military action fought by Australia and New Zealand, at Gallipoli (Turkey) during World War 1 in 1915. ANZAC day was first celebrated in 1916. Over the years, the rituals and observances held each ANZAC day have developed into what they are today – including the dawn service, marches, memorials and more. The day has also become a commemoration of all wars Australia has participated in and a time to reflect on war and its legacy.

Over 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served in World War I (1914-1918) and around 70 fought at Gallipoli.

At least 3000 Aboriginal and 850 Torres Strait Islander people served in World War II (1939-1945).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have participated in all military conflicts since the World Wars, including in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and in peacekeeping operations including in Somalia and East Timor.