Rosemary and remembrance: crafting at Anzac Square

‘There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.’ (Hamlet, William Shakespeare) 

As part of our 2026 Anzac Day activities, children and families were invited to visit Anzac Square Memorial Galleries to learn more about rosemary and its special connection to our service personnel.  

The History:  

Australians wear sprigs of rosemary on Anzac Day as a symbol of remembrance for those who have served in wars, conflicts and peace operations.  Rosemary, native to the Mediterranean region, grew wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Türkiye, the location of Australia’s first major military engagement of World War I.  It would have been a common sight for the 50,000 Australians who participated in this campaign.  

It is claimed that a wounded digger brought home a small rosemary bush from ANZAC Cove, which he planted in the grounds of the army hospital at Keswick in South Australia.  The bush thrived in the harsh Australian climate and for decades small sprigs of the digger’s rosemary was worn to honour service personnel on Anzac and Remembrance Day. In 1942, cuttings from the original bush were planted in hedgerows at the newly established General Repatriation Hospital at Daw Park, Adelaide. Some of these hedges survive to this day. Sadly, the original bush at Keswick has long since disappeared.  

In 2004 cuttings from the hedges at Daw Park were taken and propagated. These plants have been sent to nurseries throughout Australia, and the sale of each nursery-grown plant provides a royalty to the Avenues of Honour (AOH) project. AOH is a national initiative to document, preserve, promote and reinstate historical Avenues of Honour and to establish new commemorative trees.  Today, Gallipoli rosemary grows at Anzac Square and at war memorials nationwide, a beautiful reminder of service and sacrifice. 

Crafting at Anzac Square:  

Inspired by the story of Gallipoli Rosemary, Anzac Square staff, with assistance from City Parklands Services Pty Ltd (CPS), organised a special school holiday craft activity for April. Participants were invited to collect and decorate a tube of rosemary in memory of someone they would be honouring on Anzac Day. Whether customised for a veteran, a military unit or current defence personnel, it was a meaningful way to honour those who have served our nation and a gentle introduction to our Anzac Day traditions for children.  

Over 300 tubes of Gallipoli rosemary were sourced for this activity, grown from the descendants of the original bush. We were grateful to CPS staff who stored and cared for these tubes at Roma Street Parkland. Without their assistance, it would not have been possible to run this activity. Fresh trays of rosemary were delivered to the galleries daily from 7-17 April, ensuring that the plants given to participants were healthy and thriving.  

The sessions consisted of a short presentation explaining the history and importance of rosemary followed by time for participants to decorate the plastic pot of their new plant. A variety of craft materials were supplied, including stickers, paint pens and glitter glue. The gallery staff who facilitated the daily sessions were amazed by the beautiful designs and care with which children and families decorated their tubes. Many were in tribute to a family member who had served, a touching reminder that military history in Australia is intrinsically linked to family history.

More than 200 people attended these sessions, with one participant describing it as ‘a wonderful initiative’.  An additional 100 tubes were handed out to students and teachers who visited the Galleries following the annual Students’ Anzac Commemoration Ceremony on Thursday 23 April.  We hope that these tubes of Gallipoli rosemary will be planted in schools and gardens across Brisbane, becoming beautiful living memorials for our service personnel.  

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries are open Sunday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm for those wishing to visit. You can discover our upcoming events and activities on our What’s on page.