Trees wrapped with blankets of hand-knitted poppies help make a special Anzac Day at Bundeena
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Blankets made from thousands of hand-knitted poppies were wrapped around trees for the Anzac Day commemoration at Bundeena.
The poppies are in different colours, each representing a different group who has given war-time service, including medics and nurses, indigenous members, sections of the Army and war dogs.
A note on the tree tells the story of each blanket.
The Bundeena RSL Auxiliary began the practice two years ago and, following the warm response of local residents and visitors, it has continued for both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and looks certain to become a tradition.
Blankets are sold afterwards to raise funds for RSL sub-Branch support for veterans, with hundreds more poppies to be knitted before the next commemoration.
Three of the trees wrapped with the blankets are in Bundeena Memorial Reserve where about 400 gathered for this year's dawn service.
Bundeena RSL sub-Branch president Paul Griffiths said the turnout was larger than at the last few ceremonies, which he thinks may be due to some people appreciating the opportunity more following COVID-19 preventing services last year.
"We were so pleased with the effort after last year's lockdown when when we all stood on our driveway with a candle in hand to light up the dawn," he said.
"Our service this year had all the trimmings, with our state member in attendance and a locally renowned opera singer who sang Requiem for a soldier, which is very haunting.
"A young man played the Last Post on a WW1 bugle, while another played bagpipes and his sister sang the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
"The catafalque party and flag orderlies were all from Holsworthy Barracks and their commanding officer gave the oration.
"We thank them for helping to make a very special special ceremony and one in which we can all be proud".
Mr Griffiths said the chief executive and president of Cabra Bowls (Cabramatta Bowling Club), which amalgamated with the former RSL Club, forming Bundeena Community and Sports Club, attended the service.
Two Vietnamese-born directors of Cabra Bowls laid wreaths in honour of those who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
The service was followed by breakfast at Bundeena Community and Sports Club.
"It was just so nice to see everyone come together to pay respect to all our young men and women who have been lost in war," Mr Griffiths said.