Members of Warrnambool’s Night Owls CWA branch spent hours turning donated wool into red poppy shapes.

They made enough also for a wreath to hang on their clubrooms and to send to head office.

Across Australia about 100,000 poppies have been made for the Anzac Day centenary on April 25 after two Melbourne CWA members decided to aim for 5000.

“When we heard about the project we thought we’d support a local effort,” branch president Pat Zaunbrecher said.

“All the poppies are different, as were all the men who volunteered and served in the war.”

They have been glued to a wooden cross made by Mrs Zaunbrecher’s husband Peter and will feature in the Warrnambool Anzac Day program.

It’s not the first time CWA members have used their knitting skills for a project linked with armed services.

They helped make 5000 woollen beanies for soldiers in Afghanistan, which proved so popular there were requests from US units.

The projects are evidence of a resurgence in membership for the 80-year-old organisation which has been prominent in disaster relief efforts for decades.

The Night Owls Warr-nambool branch was started about six years ago to suit women who had daytime commitments.

“It’s an amazing organisation that has members in the city and rural areas,” branch co-founder Helen Coomber said.

“About four new branches have opened in Victoria so far this year and even in smaller places like Allansford there are now night and day groups.

“We like to support a lot of local causes and like to include everyone, regardless of skill levels.

“Our members range in age from their 30s to their 70s.”