Councillor Gary Gardner donates $30,000 to repair graves smashed by vandals

A Toowoomba councillor has personally pledged $30,000 to help repair 150 graves that were callously smashed in one of the most devastating acts of vandalism in the city’s history.

A Toowoomba councillor has personally pledged $30,000 to help repair the cemetery headstones that were callously smashed in one of the most devastating acts of vandalism in the city’s history.

Councillor Gary Gardner will donate $2500 per month for the next 12 months to assist the Headstone Healing Project in reparing many of the 150 headstones that were vandalised at the Drayton and Toowoomba cemetery in August 2024.

HHP was established by businessman Jim O’Dea and The Chronicle columnist Greg Johnson, who were joined by other concerned citizens in the wake of the mass desecration.

In the past two weeks the first headstones were transported to TAFE Queensland stonemasonry school at Acacia Ridge for repair and returned aboard local transport company DanTrans.

Councillor Gary Gardner has pledged $30,000 to the Healing Headstones Project. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Three more headstones were allocated to Toowoomba stonemasons for paid repair.

Founder Jim O’Dea paid tribute to Mr Gardner.

“Councillor Gardner’s personal donation is significant in helping us reach our funding target of $300,000 - it is sincerely appreciated,” he said.

“It is the goal of the Project to restore the dignity, heritage and history of the cemetery by ensuring every one of the damaged headstones is returned to its original state.”

Mr Gardner said he wanted to show his appreciation for locals banding together to help fix an abhorrent wrong.

“I am grateful that Jim and Greg are leading this project and saddened that it is needed in our community,” he said.

“Together we are calling on other businesses to support funding to get all these headstones repaired.”

Three teenagers were charged with wilful damage over the shocking crimes, including a 15-year-old Harristown boy, a 15-year-old Newtown boy and a 17-year-old Highfields boy.

They were dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act and were not required to face court.

Tax deductible donations can be made to Headstone Healing Project BSB 084 034,

ACC 9781 72393.

Originally published as Councillor Gary Gardner donates $30,000 to repair graves smashed by vandals