Belmore Park already hosts this war memorial – and it’s set to expand. Photo: John Thistleton.
An expansion to a Southern Tablelands war memorial is “entirely appropriate” and a “well overdue” decision, councillors argued during a recent council meeting.
At the meeting, Goulburn Mulwaree Council (GWC) approved a proposal from the RSL to install a dedicated memorial to honour veterans of Australian operations in the Middle East Area of Operations and peacekeepers.
The new memorial is being planned for Belmore Park in Goulburn.
In a letter written to the council, Goulburn RSL sub-Branch’s Rod MacLean thanked staff for their consideration of the proposal.
“I thank you and your team for the time you’ve spent on this for us and it’s appreciated extremely by the veterans and other sub-branch members,” he wrote.
“I look forward to working closely with you and council in achieving this important recognition of their service.”
According to council documents, the expansion will be paid for by the RSL branch, but the council’s approval is needed for its installation.
Councillor Bob Kirk called for the council to support the proposal, saying it would be an “entirely appropriate” use for the site.
Plans submitted to GMC as part of the proposal indicate it would be located adjacent to Belmore Park’s existing war memorial and be installed between two landscaped areas.
“The monument will be in keeping with the colour palette and design of the additional monuments around the cenotaph,” the documents state.
“The location of the monument is also in keeping with existing monuments relating to conflicts, and utilises existing infrastructure such as PA systems, power and flagpoles.”
A scan of a drawing showing the location of the new memorial within Belmore Park. Image: Supplied.
During the discussion, Cr Jason Shepherd said a dedicated memorial for the veterans who served in the Middle East was “well overdue”.
“[They’re] often overlooked and forgotten, but they do provide an extremely valuable role.
“They have in the past. They’re still doing it at some borders in Egypt, as well as other places.
“They put their lives at risk; they don’t have any weapons. They are there representing Australia.”
Cr Michael Prevedello described the proposal as a chance for Goulburn to recognise their service.
“The RSL should be supported in this enterprise. The proposed location is the logical place to put such a memorial.”
In his comments, Cr Kirk also said a new memorial would complement existing memorials, such as a series of trees planted on exit and entry roads to Goulburn to honour servicepeople killed in wars.
“It’s something that we shouldn’t forget that we’ve done,” he said of the other memorials.
“In fact, I was only making a mental note of how good some of those avenues are coming on, now those trees are becoming established and advanced. … [That is a] little aside, but it does go to show that the community, widely, wants to recognise past service and the history of the place.”
If this story has raised any issues for you, you can call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line on 13 11 14 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046. In an emergency, call triple zero.
