Community spirit blossoms as volunteer wreath makers prepare for Anzac Day

Each year, volunteers create floral bouquets for individuals and organisations to place on war memorials throughout the NSW Far South Coast from Narooma in the north to Eden in the south.

As part of the process chrysanthemums, roses, proteas, grevilleas, kangaroo paw and foliage sat nestled in buckets in Hillgrove House in Bega.

Some of the flowers had been purchased and donated, while others, like the white chrysanthemums, had been collected from Hillgrove House Auxiliary president Helen Slater's home garden.

"Some of these are a little collection from my garden, my neighbour's pine and mirror bush, and wattle from near the reservoir as you head out of town," Ms Slater said.

"Today means everything because my grandfather was in the First World War and lost his brother over there, so it's very important."

The money raised from sale of the wreaths is being donated to Hillgrove House, a Bega-based residential aged care facility, to purchase additional equipment for the residents' comfort.

A team of two dozen volunteers were busy all morning on Thursday, April 24, creating 115 wreaths for Anzac Day ceremonies, with some dabbling in the creative floral event for the first time.

Both Amelia Whyman and Mary Kimber joined their nan, Judy Kimber, at the wreath-making event. They were thankful they said yes, as they were enjoying the floral bouquet creation process.

Former mayor and councillor Edna Duncanson OAM said the auxiliary was formed half a century ago on August 1, so the group was celebrating its milestone birthday in 2025.

"Mary Rogers started the floral work, which has raised an awful lot of money for the auxiliary over the years, and I think we've been doing [the wreaths] on a large scale for 30 to 40 years," Ms Duncanson said.

"I will be down at the Bega Soldiers Memorial Gates for the day service helping [distribute] wreaths."