A group of Old Bar residents teamed up with the Community Technology Centre Old Bar to create poppies that were used to create wreaths locally.

Left over poppies were then sent to the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation’s (AWAMO) headquarters in Toowoomba, Queensland before being transported to the French memorial. 

Ian Dimmock of the Community Technology Centre Old Bar thanked all those involved in the project, especially “the driving force” behind the project, sisters Yvonne Bentley and Jenny Fisher. 

“They are wonderful ladies who always attend Anzac Day services and both are animal lovers,” he said. 

“The community response to their efforts is commendable, given that Old Bar is a relatively small community.

“The fact that some of our poppies have gone to Pozieres is a matter that thrills those involved,” he said. 

The 2017 Queensland Anzac of the year and AWAMO president Nigel Allsopp said thousands of poppies were sent from across Australia and he was pleased that so many people have an interest in remembering the animals.

“Without taking anything away from our Anzac soldiers, it is, I believe, appropriate to pause for the nine million animals that died.

“None volunteered and none bar one horse ever returned home. The animals held no malice, they were used on both sides.

“That is why AWAMO has erected several memorials here in Australia too, to honour their deeds and sacrifices,” Mr Allsopp said.

He encouraged others to take the time to observe the memorial.

“The Pozieres memorial is in an ideal place for Australian and other tourist to see as it is in the battlefield tour area,” Mr Allsopp said.

The memorial is split into three sections: Australian animals, New Zealand animals and one for nations from all sides of war.