‘Very disrespectful’: Dead mother’s memorial plaque replaced by stranger

A plaque on a memorial bench has been replaced with another name in a ‘disrespectful’ and ‘callous’ act.

Sunset at Largs Bay. 9 June 2020. Picture Dean Martin

A woman has been left shocked after she found her late mother’s memorial plaque had been replaced with another person’s name.

Jane Watkinson was on a walk along the Largs Bay esplanade to visit her mother’s memorial bench when she noticed the plaque had been replaced.

Writing to a Port Adelaide community Facebook group on Wednesday, Ms Watkinson urged others to “check loved ones’ seats”.

“And please don’t just take it upon yourself to replace plaques that are already there,” she wrote.

Ms Watkinson’s was working on having an accompanying plaque added to the bench to remember her father, who has since died.

“I contacted the council and they said that a member of the public had replaced the plaque without permission.

“The council does not remove the plaque at all.”

Largs Bay beach. Picture:, Supplied

Group members commented in support of Ms Watkinsons, with Yvonne Sandford calling the act “very disrespectful”.

“I can understand that someone would want to commemorate a loved one but not to remove an existing commemoration.

“That’s a selfish person, only concerned with their own and no consideration that there are others who can be hurt by their actions,” she commented.

Over a hundred residents flooded the post with one member, Sarah McGrath, calling the act “callous”.

“Did they not think that through their actions of wanting to remember a loved one, they have caused heartache to another? Did they think no one would notice?” she wrote.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council confirmed it does not remove plaques and the mystery plaque had not been approved.

The council told The Advertiser it intended to remove the illegitimate plaque and reinstate a copy of the original approved plaque – remembering Ms Watkinson’s mother.

Residents can apply for a memorial bench via the council’s website.

Benches cost anywhere between $1800 and $2500, depending on the bench.