Hervey Bay’s 5th Light Horse statue vandalised again

The most recent vandalism of a statue built to honour Hervey Bay’s veterans has been slammed by the president of the city’s RSL Sub Branch.

The bayonet has once again been bent at the Light Horse memorial in Freedom Park, Pialba.

Anzac Day is still months away but Hervey Bay RSL Sub Branch President Brian Tidyman is facing a race against time after the city’s iconic 5th Light Horse statue was damaged by vandalism on New Year’s Day.

The bayonet of the rider was left bent after it appeared someone had climbed on the horse to put a knitted sock on the statute, Mr Tidyman said.

Council CCTV footage had captured images of the person and police were investigating, Mr Tidyman said.

Mr Tidyman said it was the latest incident of vandalism to damage the statue after the bayonet was bent in 2015 and 2017.

He said it was not yet known whether the metal statue would be repaired in time for Anzac Day.

If someone could heat up the bayonet and straighten it, that would be the fastest and cheapest option, Mr Tidyman said.

Otherwise it would cost about $2000 and it would depend on how quickly the repair or replacement could be made by the foundry, he said.

The Light Horse memorial at Freedom Park continues to be damaged by vandals.

“It frustrates me very much because we’ve put up a good memorial,” Mr Tidyman said.

“Then someone comes along and vandalise it for no reason.”

Councillor David Lee said he had also had to remove graffiti after the shed behind the veterans’ and social affairs centre was vandalised.

“We’ve got a strong veteran population in our community,” he said.

“So it’s really disturbing to see this type of graffiti.”

Mr Lee said he had used one of the council’s graffiti kits to remove as much of it as he could.

He said it was a reminder vandalism was a big cost to the community.

“It’s not only blatant trespass to private property but has that added implication that it’s disrespectful to our veterans and the wider community,” he said.