Rosemary has a long and storied history in the Australian war effort. During World War I, soldiers would often carry sprigs of rosemary as a symbol of remembrance for their fallen comrades. This tradition continues today, with rosemary being used as a symbol of remembrance on Anzac Day.
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For years, volunteers have descended on the Megalong Valley, NSW property of David and Cathy Harris - the founders of Harris Farm grocery chain - harvest rosemary for Sydney Legacy's Rosemary Appeal.
After the rosemary is harvested, it is transported to Beehive Industries, a non-profit social enterprise that provides employment and training opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities. Here, dedicated volunteers from Sydney Legacy and Beehive Industries prepare the rosemary, ahead of Anzac Day.
One step is 'sprigging' the rosemary, which involves cutting it and attaching a Legacy sticker to the stem - by hand.
About 50,000 sprigs of the plant are donated, which are then distributed to the public on ANZAC Day as a gift to commemorate the fallen and their families. Many choose to donate for their sprig as a symbol of remembrance and respect for veterans.
This year's harvest happened on April 16 with locals and Legacy representatives helping with the picking.
Sydney Legacy will be handing out rosemary and collecting donations at the Campbelltown Sports Stadium ahead of the Wests Tigers and Sea Eagles match on Sunday, April 23.
For more information about Sydney Legacy, click here or call 02 9248 9000.
- READ MORE: How to grow your own rosemary
- READ MORE: Route for Legacy torch relay announced
