Hearts of stone

By Casey Neill
VANDALS have desecrated a historic Ferntree Gully war memorial, leaving many in the community speechless.
Knox Remembrance Day Committee chairman Hurtle Lupton said “some mindless bastards” broke the stone tribute in Ferntree Gully’s Tim Neville Arboretum on 15 August.
The heavy column of the cenotaph was broken in two after apparently being pushed from its stone base.
The memorial dates back to just after World War I and recognises Ferntree Gully Primary School former students who lost their lives in the conflict.
It was moved to the arboretum from the school in 1988.
Mr Lupton said Knox Remembrance Day Committee members were “extremely angry”.
“We just couldn’t believe that anyone could be so stupid,” he said.
“I’m just lost for words to be honest.” Mr Lupton said the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and community groups had offered to contribute to the repair costs ahead of November’s Knox Remembrance Day service.
“I hope the people who did it appreciate the damage they’ve done to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” he said.
“They’ve desecrated a memorial in their honour.”
Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling could not believe people would stoop so low. “It’s wanton vandalism,” he said.
Mr Wakeling called for more police on the streets “to send a message to the community”.
“A member of the police can’t be on every street corner,” he said.
“But people will be less likely to engage in this behaviour.
“Those in our community believe they can do as they choose and won’t be caught because not enough police are on the street.”
Knox City Council’s councillor Sue McMillan hoped a recent spate of vandalism at the arboretum was isolated to one group.
Vandals last month destroyed a commemorative tree that the Ferntree Gully Rotary Club planted in 2005 to mark 100 years of Rotary in Australia.
“I would hope there wouldn’t be a broader issue than that,” Cr McMillan said.
“But it’s something we need to keep an eye on.” She said the vandalism showed a lack of respect for people’s possessions and for what the memorials represent.
“I was absolutely disgusted that anyone would even think to vandalise the war memorial,” she said.
Cr McMillan said councillors would contribute cash from their ward funds for the repairs if necessary.
“If there is a shortfall I’ll rally my fellow councillors,” she said.
“We’ll make sure it gets fixed.”