Art installation honours those who served

Three-metre-high letters that spell out the word ‘remember’ have been installed in Buss Park ahead of Remembrance Day next week.

Made of acrylic and filled with red poppies, the structure takes up a prominent space in the heart of the park, symbolising the community’s commitment to honouring those who served.

The REMEMBER public art installation was commissioned to commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice and travelled around the State in 2018 before Bundaberg became its permanent home.

It contains 57,705 poppies to honour the 57,705 Queenslanders who enlisted in the First World War.

Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn said the installation was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women throughout history.

“This incredible artwork is a tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who fought and lost their lives in the line of duty,” she said.

“Standing before these towering letters filled with thousands of poppies allows us to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many, and to give thanks for the peace and freedom we experience today.

“I encourage everyone to take a moment to visit this installation in Buss Park, especially as we approach Remembrance Day, and to pay their respects.”

Remembrance Day is held on November 11 and calls on commemorators to observe a minute’s silence on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in honour of those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation.

The timing coincides with the moment the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare at 11 am on 11 November 1918.

The installation will be on display until Thursday 14 November 2024.

Those visiting the site are reminded to stay behind the bollards which have been placed around the installation.