April 15, 2025
The visiting riders coming to the South Burnett for the upcoming “Weekend At Wondai” cycling event will get a little Anzac Day gift, all thanks to 93-year-old Dorothy Niebling.
Dorothy, who lives in Kingaroy, has crocheted red poppies for the cyclists to wear when they attend Anzac Day commemorations on April 25.
The Orana Aged Care resident has made 200 of the woollen poppies which will be presented to the cyclists when they register at Wondai Sportsgrounds on April 24 for the three-day Bicycle Queensland event.
Dorothy said it takes her about 20 minutes to make each poppy.
She said the poppies remind her of her late father, Everett Smith, who fought in World War I.
Everett, known as “Aussie”, served with the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion in France.
He was wounded in action but returned to Australia in 1919.
This isn’t the first time that Dorothy has turned her skills to making poppies.
Last year she crocheted an incredible 400 for Taabinga State School students to wear during Anzac Day events.
The wool for the poppies was donated by Orana Creative Programs.
