Winner! - Poppy Coin Contest

Recently I ran a competition to win a rare coin that was issued to celebrate Remembrance Day here in Australia

There were a couple of heart-felt entries and a winner has been chosen

Old NFONovember 13, 2012 5:02 AM
I'd like to win this as a reminder of my Father, who was in WWI and fought through Belgium, which is where the poppys grew and were immortalized in the poem "In Flanders Fields".

Also, it reminds me of the ties I've made with the RAN, including being honored to participate in the Remembrance ceremony aboard USS Parramata in 2009 at Stirling.

CONGRATULATIONS! - and please contact me with your delivery address for posting

And in other news...

Santa stocking boxes were shipped off to my two adoptee's mid-month... hopefully they will receive them soon

And "in home" news.  I had my first job interview in 15 years today.  It mostly went well despite my having chronic "bad hearing" today (still have an on-going ear infection that the Doctors all agree is "nasty" but have no options on the healing of it other than "take the medication we've given you; apply the drops to your ears - give it time")  Ehhh...

Oh and my trip to Melbourne last week for a training course went well too.  I got to spend one whole day playing "Tourist" (14 hours in a tour bus - eek!).  Couple of photos below

Loch Ard Gorge

The Apostles Rocks (only 8 now!)

Due to lack of numbers the Tour company cancelled the night-time visit to Philip Island Penguin parade which I was a bit sad about. However I stumbled upon the Melbourne Aquarium during my Friday lunch break and spent a happy 40 minutes seeing the exhibits especially their live penguin display.

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Life....

And a heads up - I will be extending the entry deadline for the Poppy Coin Contest for a week (I will be away at a training course from tomorrow and will judge the entries once I return)

Operation Santa Stockings 2012

I have been working on the Troop Treat Christmas parcels that I am about to send off to my two Soldiers' Angels troopers. [one is my "Official" adoptee - a Marine. The other I meet via the letter team and is my "Unofficial-but-I-Like-to-send-him-emails" friend]

Still a work in progress so final photos yet to come (I need to find shipping boxes big enough to take all the goodies yet not too big that it will cost me $ to ship from Australia. That is part of tomorrow's quest).

All the goodies laid out and ready. (sorry for the blurriness!)

 

Stockings stuffed with all manner of fun things :)

I have included a marsupial toy with each - just because I can!

 

And I have just hand made two Aussie Christmas

wreaths (they are a bit "fluffy" but will hopefully make the

Lads smile)

 

 

Rest of the parcels include Christmassy balloons, and garlands, a mini pop-up tree; and decorations Oh My!  Also some mini candy-canes - and if I can remember to obtain tomorrow - a packet of Musk Sticks each (mwhahaha... my equivalent of "Coal" it the boys have been naughty :D)

 

You may have guessed by now that I adore sending Troop Treats - it really makes me feel like I am able to give back to those that need the Love and Care.



Poppy Coin Contest

Closing date for entries now 25th of November


The Australian Mint has issued the first ever Legal Tender coloured coin - to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Last week I acquired a few - and one will be given away as the Prize to the below competition

This is the coin up close -

In order to enter you MUST write a short paragraph on WHY you would like the Poppy Coin (what it means to you etc). And then submit it - along with your name/blogging name - as a comment to this post.


The Rules:-

Must be PG-13! (if you feel that using a rude word is required then bleep it out - let's think of the potential that one day my Mum might read this)

You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (sniffle... but you COULD stick around and read more - just saying)

You can be from anywhere in the world.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom so I can track you down later should you win.

If you find that Blogger won't let you post a message or worse - it disappears into the ether - then email me directly (you can find my email address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by last day of November 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning comment will be judged on or about the 20th of November 25th of November

***just in case the whole idea of writing something is wigging you out, I have included some examples on how you could frame your entry***

"I would love to win the Poppy Coin because it reminds me of the service my *insert name/relative/friend* here"

"Would be a cool thing to have in my memorabilia cabinet - along with my other Remembrance Day badges"

We shall remember them

'Old Friends'
Image created by my friend Ste Beresford. Please cite him as
copyright owner if  you share. ***

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.      

John McCrae

*** A 1280 pixels wide image size of this picture is available - please email me if you would like to use it.  Image created by my friend Ste Beresford. Please cite him ascopyright owner if you share.

Show your pride!

I love buying things from the Military Shop - mostly so that I can either send to my overseas Vetern friends; or to my Adopted Soldiers from Soldiers' Angels.

This month they have a really nice fridge magnet that I must acquire at least one of for myself



you can buy them HERE

I am sure I will find a few other bits & pieces in their online catalogue too.

Oh! and I have acquired an extra Poppy Coin.  Legal Australian two dollar coin with a red poppy on it's reverse.  On the 11th of the 11th I will be putting up a blog competition for it so please stay tuned for that

 

 

 

Updated to add....

Gosh I would love to own one of the below special Poppy medallions.  They have them in Silver (which I can *almost* afford but not really justify) and Gold (which is too $$ unfortunately).  Maybe I will bookmark the page and when I am back in employment I can celebrate by purchasing one.

 

Available from HERE but I don't know for how long...

 

 

Vale Harry Leem

I discovered today that a long time on-line friend has passed on.

God Bless you Harry - and keep saying prayers for us as you look down from Heaven

His blog handle was ExAFCrewDog and his blog at http://oldandornery.blogspot.com.au/

The Lost Diggers of Vigancourt

Negatives found in a French attic provide a snapshot of life behind the front line during WWI

 

 

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-02/remember-me3a-the-lost-diggers-of-vignacourt/4348834