Lest we

By Bridget Cook
THE state of the Cranbourne War Memorial site during Friday’s Remembrance Day service, where hundreds gathered to honour the fallen, has left the City of Casey embarrassed.
It was evident at the service in Cranbourne that both the cenotaph and the grounds surrounding it were unsightly.
Letters and numbers, including the date of the Great War, were missing and the grass area, while it had been mowed, was covered in thick grass clippings.
The News has become aware that a member of the Dandenong Cranbourne RSL sub-branch wrote to the council about one month ago asking for assistance in upgrading the Cranbourne War Memorial.
The works were not performed at the site prior to the service, and City of Casey manager parks and reserves Trevor Griffin said council officers were not aware that some lettering was missing and it would now be replaced.
Mr Griffin said the Cranbourne cenotaph was inspected by the council’s contractors on a weekly basis.
“The grass was cut the day before Remembrance Day, however, following heavy rain the previous night, the grass clippings were unable to be collected to the usual standard,” he said.
Cranbourne East resident and retired soldier Maurice Quinn, who attended the service, said he was saddened to see the state of the Cranbourne War Memorial site.
“Several letters and most dates have either been removed or have fallen off, only the date 1939 remains,” he said.
“I did not look at the other sides, one side was enough. I didn’t know that our council could be so uncaring but then I looked a little further and found that the grass had been badly cut, far too long and the cut grass was still lying there.”
He said the state of this central showpiece was unacceptable.
“I can just see the thousands of dollars that will be thrown at this memorial now, instead of the ongoing maintenance that should have happened,” he said.
Councillor Amanda Stapledon, who gave the Remembrance Day address at the Cranbourne service, raised an urgent business item at Tuesday night’s council meeting for the council to investigate what went on at the site. It was supported unanimously.
“It was a great service and had such meaning,” Cr Stapledon said.
“For reasons of either poor repair and upkeep of the memorial or perhaps vandalism, although I would prefer not to think that, numbers are missing from one side of the memorial.
“This was very upsetting to the veterans and other RSL supporters and was pointed out to me by several people.”
She said the way the grass clippings were left around was also unsightly.
“Further to this and whilst the grass had been cut, there were grass cuttings all over the lawn which gathered on people’s feet and was very unattractive,” she said.
“I thought it worth mentioning in context of having this aspect checked by council before these important services are held.
“This was somewhat embarrassing and something that was perceived as a lack of care/respect for this and whilst I know this is not true, I do believe we need to do better when it comes to our war memorials.”
Councillor Simon Curtis said he was concerned that the council was advised and nothing was done before Remembrance Day.
“Berwick is always immaculately presented,” he said. “So it really is a concern.”
The council will now investigate the matter and contact the Dandenong Cranbourne RSL sub-branch to discuss a resolution, as a matter of urgency.
The council also resolved to inspect all cenotaphs and war memorials where services will be held, one week before the event to ensure that they are well presented and prepared.