Four Tasmania Fire Service personnel and two vehicles attended the Launceston RSL building around 10.30am on Saturday to help the Womens Auxiliary group install a “poppy waterfall” they had created for Centenary of Armistice celebrations.

Launceston RSL Womens Auxiliary secretary Ann Cash said after helping their counterparts across the state knit many thousands of the poppies for others to use in their Armistice celebrations, the group wanted to do something special for their own building.

Over 2500 of the flowers were knitted for the waterfall by friends and family of the Womens Auxiliary, with Caring Hands Bracknell and Westbury’s Chat and Choose also chipping in.

The group took to fastening the poppies to a length of mesh, but needed a little help getting it into place.

“They’ve got to hoist that up there, and then unfurl and take it all down,” Mrs Cash said.

“That’s why we had to get the fire brigade to do it, because we can’t do it.”

Initially the group wanted to install the waterfall at the front of the Wellington Street facade, though this would not quite have worked she added.

Senior firefighter Roger Brown and firefighter Simon Moore scaled the second-floor structure with the help of the TFS’ snorkel vehicle. 

TFS Launceston station officer Roger Whittle was happy for the opportunity to help out in the community, while also giving some of their own staff a chance to learn on the equipment.

“Simon is learning, so it’s a good way to practice,” Mr Whittle said.

“The snorkel has to be tested every few days anyway, so this is a great way to do it in a practical way.

“And yes, it’s for a good cause.”

Established in 1936, the Launceston RSL Womens Auxiliary is the oldest in Tasmania.

The group was set up to support the service personnel returning from war, and raise money for the welfare of the RSL through a wide range of fundraising activities.

“We’ve just had our 81st birthday,” Mrs Cash added.

“And we’re still going.”

Womens Auxiliary president Gail Wright said the group are constantly looking for new ways to help the RSL.

“There’s really always something to do,” she added.

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