Volunteers say it gives them a stark reminder of why they are commemorating all who served and died in the 1915 Gallipoli landings, and subsequent conflicts.
But yesterday, Dunedin Returned and Services Association posy-making co-ordinator Sally Turner said there was an added feeling of loss in the air.
Members of the community had been coming together at HMNZS Toroa for nearly two decades to make posies for Anzac Day.
Now the building has officially been closed, and yesterday was the last time the group would be in there for the important job.
‘‘It’s a bit sad really, because it’s a nice old building and everybody knows where things are,’’ Mrs Turner said.
‘‘It’s the end of an era. But the start of a new chapter, perhaps?
‘‘At this stage, we’re not sure where we’re going to go next year for our posy-making, but I’m sure we’ll sort something out.’’
About 60 volunteers, including a large group of Highlander rugby players, gathered at the unit yesterday to make about 5000 posies out of rosemary and red paper.
Rosemary was used in the posies because it grows on the Gallipoli Peninsula and surrounding areas, and has become a plant that signifies remembrance.
Mrs Turner said the posies would be laid by Girl Guides and Pippins on the graves of returned servicemen during a service at Andersons Bay Cemetery today.
