opposition to move

THANK you Sandra Lambkin!

In a page seven editorial item headlined “Call to respect sites of sacred significance”, in last Wednesday’s The Leader, RSL Sub-branch secretary Sandra Lambkin was quoted as saying “the sub-branch members decided to reaffirm their opposition to the relocation of the memorials, with a unanimous motion passed that a submission be made to council that the memorials stay where they are”.

My sentiments exactly.

I have been arguing that as a member of council’s Peel St beautification working group, since the plans were first presented by the consultants some months previous.

The memorials in question – the Waler memorial, the World War II memorial and the Man o’ War gates – were proposed, by the consultants, to be moved to an area almost opposite the back of Ray Walsh House and for a children’s playground replace them on their current site.

A damned expensive exercise, to serve what purpose?

I was also pleased to read TRC general manager Glen Inglis’s support for the retention of the memorials in their current location, with a reflective memorial garden linking the memorials with the lake.

His comment “... this plan would also honour the significance of what is seen as a sacred and dedicated memorial site” hits the nail right on the head.

Leave them where they are!

Now, if I can just, finally and officially, convince council that the land bounded by Showground Rd and Jewry St, and adjoining the cemetery, should be zoned in such a way that it will never be sold off for industrial purposes, I promise I will stop bombarding councillors with emails for at least 12 months.

This area also is a significant, dedicated, memorial site and should never be bookended by factories.

Respect and moral obligation are the two words that come to mind here and I urge council to vote to ensure this area of land is never considered for the purpose of sale.

Gary Chillingworth

TAMWORTH