Memorial damage raises ire

By Captain Phil Pyke

* A war memorial in Perth, Tasmania, was recently vandalised. Air Force members in the Middle East raised more than $1000 to help pay for its restoration.

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SQNLDR David Hurd accepts a donation from WOFF Darrel Thomas to go to the restoration of a vandalised war memorial located in the town of Perth, Tasmania, as a part of a fund-raising drive by Air Force members in the Middle East.

Photo by CPL Robert Nyffenegger

VANDALISM to a Tasmanian war memorial recently has raised the ire of the local, veteran and Defence communities from as far afield as the Middle East.

Built in 1920 of white French marble, the memorial at Perth, south of Launceston, was daubed in blue and red paint and the base scrawled with graffiti. The memorial, which carries the names of local soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War II, is the central point for Perth’s Anzac Day services.

The attack was viewed as desecration and immediately the State Government committed $2500 to assist in the cleaning and restoration.

Air Force members currently on operations in the Middle East also chipped in, raising another $1000.

Led by a Tasmanian, Squadron Leader David Hurd, the personnel went on a fundraising drive after seeing the damage in Tasmanian newspapers.

“My wife sent me the newspaper and I was appalled to see this senseless vandalism,” Squadron Leader Hurd said.

“I am from Perth, which is a beautiful town. That someone would desecrate the Perth memorial to soldiers that have given their lives for Australia is disgusting.

“It is especially upsetting for us over here in the Middle East as we are serving the people of Australia in the important job of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

“We passed the hat around over here in the Middle East to raise as much money as we could from the troops so we can pass it on to the Tasmanian RSL for the repair of the memorial.”

The Member for Lyons in the Tasmanian Parliament, Michael Polley, and Senior Air Force Officer (Tasmania), Wing Commander Rod Neilson, also came to view the damage.

Wing Commander Neilson told The Hobart Mercury that he felt anger and indignation at seeing the memorial defaced – possibly on a permanent basis due to the porous nature of the marble.

“I am disappointed this has happened, particularly at a time when young people are increasingly taking an interest and becoming involved in Anzac Day services and even travelling to Gallipoli,” he said.

Wing Commander Neilson later presented the monies raised by Air Force’s Middle East donations to Mr Polley on the steps of Parliament House.

Although the Perth Memorial has been restored, the funds will be utilised to replace the rifle of the marble soldier, which had been stolen some years ago in a separate incident.

This attack follows the destruction of the glass panels of Hobart’s Victoria Cross Memorial last year – causing $30,000 damage.

A police investigation into the vandalism is ongoing.

The vandalism on war memorials across Australia has been viewed as desecration and there are renewed calls for Federal legislation to make such attacks criminal acts.

Two teenage girls have been charged with damage to property. The 17-year-old will appear in the Youth Justice Division while the 18-year-old will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court.

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