cenotaph_84016_05: Front, John Richardson and Cheryl MacIntyre, from the Dandenong Cranbourne RSL sub-branch, and Casey councillors Geoff Ablett and Amanda Stapledon are thrilled the Cranbourne cenotaph has been restored. 84016 Picture: DONNA OATES
By Bridget Cook
THE Dandenong Cranbourne RSL sub-branch has welcomed the restoration of the Cranbourne cenotaph after receiving a grant to preserve the war history.
Restoration works are now complete at the site, after the RSL received a $3200 Victorian Government Restoring Community War Memorial Grant.
Lettering to replace missing letters on the cenotaph had to be brought in from Italy, at a cost of almost $3000.
Dandenong Cranbourne RSL sub-branch welfare officer John Richardson said the remaining money would be used to have the cenotaph professionally cleaned.
In November last year, the News reported on the bad state of the Cranbourne War Memorial at the Remembrance Day service.
Letters and numbers, including the date of the Great War, were missing from the cenotaph, and the grass area, while it had been mowed, was covered in thick grass clippings at the service.
Mr Richardson said they were thrilled they got the grant and had fixed up the significant site.
“We tried to get it done for Anzac Day, but given the lettering had to come from Italy, were weren’t able to,” he said.
“We are just really pleased it’s done now. It was a lot of paperwork and time and hassle but it’s been worth it.”
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Gordon Rich-Phillips said the Dandenong Cranbourne RSL was one of 43 communities to share in more than $240,000 of grants to restore community war memorials.
“Places like Cranbourne cenotaph play a constant and very meaningful role in our community remembering the great sacrifices made by our Australian service men and women in the past and at present,” he said.
“Grants like these are so important because they provide the practical support required for our local community to respectfully keep its memorials in the best possible condition.”
