Shepparton branch marketing and media co-ordinator Annabel Thomas said RSL members, individuals and members of different groups and organisations knitted and crocheted the woollen poppies following the nationwide RSL appeal for handmade poppies to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I.

“We had so many poppies donated, we thought of creating a field of flowers — it has now been installed as a permanent wall of remembrance,” Ms Thomas said.

“It’s helped people feel very connected.”

Shepparton’s Diane Close, who made hundreds of poppies for the fixture, said each one took about about 25 minutes to make.

“Every poppy means something — red is for the blood, white for the doctors and nurses who served, and purple for the animals,” Mrs Close said.

“Some people have made poppies for family members — we just want to make them perfect.”