Australian War Memorial under fire over new ‘tacky’ car poppies

The Australian War Memorial’s (AWM) new Remembrance Day poppy range has been labelled “tacky” and disrespectful to those who served. 

The new range of plastic poppies has been released to help mark the centenary of the Armistice and are designed to be pinned to the front of cars as a show of remembrance. Poppies have become synonymous with Remembrance Day over the past century and a regularly pinned to lapels, hats and scarfs as a sign of respect, but some have argued tacking them to the grill of a car is inappropriate. 

Radio host Neil Mitchell said on Thursday that he’s “uncomfortable” the AWM is asking people to put poppies on their cars. 

Speaking on 3AW, he said: “There are protocols around wearing poppies. They must be worn on your left breast, not your left indicator”.

Mitchell also pointed out the car on the press release is an Audi, saying “An Audi. A German car. Didn’t we fight them?”

But AWM director Brendan Nelson said purchasing and displaying the large, plastic poppy on cars around the country was a simple, yet powerful gesture, of recognition.

“If you haven’t got a car you can always put it on your letter box. You can put it anywhere — just put a poppy on something that’s important to you and show your respect for our servicemen and servicewomen,” he said.

Starts at 60 reader Glenda Anderson called the move a “tacky” way to raise money, adding: “Red nose day was a fun way to raise money for a serious problem, but this is different, it is a solemn day that demands respect and not some tacky way to raise money”.

However, Frances Gray said just because it’s tacky to some doesn’t mean it is to others, adding: “It if raises money then no problem”.

Sue Davies added: “Not for me, but to others it may well seem an appropriate way to remember the young folks who met their end in battle.”

Pop a poppy on your car. As a simple act of remembrance, put a commemorative poppy on your car and help mark the centenary of armistice. Available at the Memorial shop and online for $9.99. Proceeds support @LegacyAust and the Memorial. https://t.co/HWV4xiwUPZ pic.twitter.com/QLMbOF07RE

— Aust War Memorial (@AWMemorial) May 30, 2018

November, 11, marks the centenary of the end of the First World War. After four years of fighting, one of the world’s most devastating conflicts was finally over, and Australia mourned 62,000 dead.

The vibrant red poppy has long been a powerful symbol of remembrance, and was among the first plants to spring up from the devastated battlefields of Northern France and Belgium.

This campaign comes ahead of a range of initiatives related to the Memorial’s five-week commemorative program to mark the Armistice anniversary in October and November. Other programs include the installation of 62,000 knitted poppies on the grounds of the Memorial.

All proceeds will support Legacy Australia and the Memorial.

What do you think? Do you think it’s tacky or is it a nice way to commemorate Remembrance Day?