On the morning before Anzac Day, Steffy Mackay will be one of several people making flower bouquets for the graves of the soldiers buried in the Eltham Cemetery.
“I’ve been doing it for the past decade and someone I spoke to has been doing it for 20 years and believes it was happening long before that. It’s something the Eltham community has done forever. It’s about honouring our fallen soldiers and showing them respect.”
Mackay said Eltham RSA members work together to create and deliver 250 bouquets, one each for Eltham’s fallen soldiers.
“The ladies of the Eltham RSA create the bouquets while the men secure the jars to ensure they’re not blown over and then once the bouquets are ready they’re placed on the graves.”
She said the Eltham RSA need the help of the community to continue the long-standing tradition.