Residents and staff at St Anne’s Aged Care in Hunters Hill were delighted to welcome local visitors to their Home in preparation for ANZAC Day, which takes place on Sunday, 25 April.
Knitters from the nearby Holy Name of Mary Parish and student representatives from Villa Maria Catholic Primary School gifted residents with hand-knitted ANZAC Day poppies which they can wear to honour those who have served and sacrificed.
The poppies are also being sold to raise funds for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Sister Marie, a Josephite nun and resident of St Anne’s (pictured above front left), is wearing her poppy with pride.
Sr Marie served in World War Two but is sworn to secrecy about her assignment. She did however share that she was working beside 40+ soldiers in a fort. Sr Marie’s expertise was calculating measurements through trigonometry. Everything was calculated by hand and mental math, with Sr Marie considered an expert in her field.
Myra Edwards (pictured above back second left), whose husband lives at St Anne’s, said the poppy knitting group was a great way to connect seniors and local students in a compassionate, creative and worthwhile parish project.
Myra started the knitting group from an initiative called Forget-Me-Nots which was created at Holy Name of Mary to show love and care for elderly people during the coronavirus lockdown. The knitters have also donated twiddle-muffs to residents of Catholic Healthcare Aged Care Homes.
Thank you to the Holy Name of Mary knitting group and students of Villa Maria Catholic Primary School for your kind donation.
The poppies will be sold after this Sunday’s Mass at Holy Name of Mary and Peter Chanel Catholic Church to raise money for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and to commemorate ANZAC Day in Hunters Hill. You can also donate online – click here if you would like to contribute.
Lest We Forget.
Pictured also are Villa Maria Primary School representatives, Bridget Donohue (Mission Leader) and Elizabeth Winters (Liturgy Leader).
Also pictured are St Anne’s residents Hazel, Carmel and Isobel along with Nishi Rana, Residential Manager (centre), staff of St Anne’s and members of the Holy Name of Mary knitting group.