A century-old war memorial toppled by vandals on Tasmania’s east coast has been repaired and restored.
Dobsons Monumental Works completed the work on the St Helens Cenotaph at no cost.
“This cenotaph is a symbol of service, sacrifice and remembrance,” RSL Tasmania said.
“It once again stands as it should.”
The memorial was pushed from its base at about 11:50pm on January 29 in what RSL Tasmania called “an appalling act”.
CCTV captured the attack and Break O’Day Council handed footage to Tasmania Police, who are investigating.
RSL Tasmania thanked Dobsons Monumental Works for “generously” completing the repairs.
The cenotaph was dedicated in 1923 to honour local soldiers killed in World War I.
It sits in St Helens Memorial Park alongside the Wall of Remembrance, Tasmania’s Second World War Roll of Honour and a Vietnam War memorial.
RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy said the vandalism caused real pain in the community.
“The desecration of a war memorial is not simply vandalism, it is an affront to the memory of those who served and sacrificed,” he said.
Local MP Guy Barnett described the attack as “awful” and “sick”.
MP Michael Ferguson called for stronger penalties to deter such behaviour.
“War memorials are not political symbols or public art,” he said.
“They are sacred reminders of sacrifice that allow us to call Australia our home.”
