17 April 2007

Poppies on Parliament and the Auckland War Memorial Museum

The 2007 national RSA Poppy Day appeal for veteran welfare funds will be launched by the Hon Rick Barker, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs at a ceremony in the Grand Hall of Parliament House, Wellington, commencing at 7.00pm on Tuesday, 17 April.

This year’s Poppy Day launch will be highlighted by a spectacular large format projection of giant red poppies cascading down over the main steps and entrance facade of Parliament House.

The following evening, Wednesday 18 April, it will be the turn of Auckland War Memorial Museum which will be ablaze with giant red RSA poppies cascading down over the main entrance facade and steps.

In a “first” for Auckland, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association with the generous support of ANZ will stage a spectacular large format projection aimed at attracting public attention to Poppy Day to be held this year on Friday, 20 April.

The presentations are scheduled to screen from dusk to midnight in Wellington on 17-18 April and in Auckland on 18-19 April using the largest projectors currently available in New Zealand.

Last year RSA spent over $2 million providing vital welfare support to veterans, war widows and their immediate dependants, of which more than $1 million was generously donated by the public on Poppy Day.

The annual Poppy Appeal is the lifeblood of the RSA’s welfare funding which is available to all veterans – not just RSA members.

Poppy Day 2007 will be observed on Friday, 20 April.

Wellington: Poppies on Parliament, 17-19 April 2007

Auckland: Poppies on Auckland War Memorial Museum, 18-19 April 2007

Contact:

Bill Hopper
Public Relations Officer
RNZRSA
Phone: (04) 528 9557
Fax: (04) 528 2095
Email: billhopper@xtra.co.nz