The Journey of Remembrance continues

THE POPPY, ICONIC SYMBOL OF REMEMBRANCE, CONNECTS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY WOMEN ...across regions and cultures...

Despite drought, rural depression and ongoing struggle on the land, Connecting Spirits is privileged to receive hand knitted poppies from the women of the mid north of our state. Thanks to the 'poppy knitter' Faye Hitch from the district of Morchard /Willowie, we received this special contribution to our project today in the post. We now have 35 poppies, each one hand made...one for each of the soldiers and nurse we will be commemorating on the forthcoming Connecting Spirits Community Tour. 

To put this act of generosity into perspective for those readers who are unfamiliar with the issues our rural people have faced for many years now, South Australia has been gripped by drought for some time now and recently endured the hottest summer ever on record as had many other parts of our country. For those who work on the land in marginal regions, life has been very tough and the day to day struggles of keeping properties going, is something those of us in urban areas have little real understanding of. 

My contact in Ororroo, Mrs Sue Ellery, is part of a family who have worked the land for generations and one of our soldiers Edward Ellery, worked on the farm that his direct relatives still own and  make a living from. Yet despite enduring all these daily stresses just waiting for the  much needed rain to fall, these women have found time to send us these treasures for our tour. I have not yet met Sue face to face, but have shared many lengthy conversations  about our shared history. I feel that I have known her all my life!

And now let's move onto another group of women in an entirely different region and cultural background, the women from Raukkan who use their skills to make the traditional Ngarrindjeri feather flowers. Isabel Koolmatrie and Anyupa Giles, both of Ngarrindjeri backgrounds and both educators at Meningie Area school, have made flowers as well...theirs are from the feathers of pelicans gathered from the edge of Ngarrindjeri country and waters. Isabel took part in the 2015 tour and this year Anyupa will travel with her grand-daughter Felicia to continue the journey of remembering kin and family. Hand knitted poppies and feather flowers cross cultures and regions but symbolise all that Connecting Spirits represents; that we have a shared history born in the blood of our ancestors lost in foreign fields.

We must NEVER forget...