Remembering Our Heroes Mackay's Streets Adorned with Poppies

Across the Mackay region, a poignant tribute now graces our streets: newly redesigned signs featuring red poppies, honouring the sacrifices of World War I and II casualties. In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, the Mackay Regional Council has started installing these new commemorative street blades, replacing the M150 street signs first introduced in 2012 as part of Mackay’s 150th anniversary. The poppy signifies that the street is named after a soldier who was a casualty of war and whose records show they were born in Mackay, enlisted from our shores, or had lived in the district.
This initiative stems from a community-driven effort, where residents were invited to submit the names of family members who lost their lives in these conflicts. In 2012, the council launched the ‘Lest We Forget Soldier Street Naming Project’ to commemorate our fallen soldiers and raise awareness of their histories. Local history enthusiast Basil Graham, along with students from Mackay North State High School, played a crucial role in researching and documenting these stories.
Now, as the streets of Mackay proudly display these poppy-adorned signs, they serve as a daily reminder of the bravery and dedication of our local heroes.

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