Parents upset over disrespect shown at Allison Baden-Clay’s Anstead memorial

UPDATE: A memorial to Allison Baden-Clay at the site where her body was found has been repaired after vandals took to it ‘with a screwdriver’. Her upset parents were there to see it restored.

A VANDALISED memorial for murdered mum ALLISON Baden-Clay has been repaired this morning, with her parents on-hand to see it restored to its original condition.

Geoff and Priscilla Dickie said they were grateful a plaque that had been ripped from the sandstone memorial had now been returned.

Rob Hanson, who made and restored the plaque, said the damage had been “extremely” upsetting for the family.

The plaque was removed from the sandstone memorial. Picture: Annette Dew

“It’s now back in its rightful place,” Mr Hanson, from local business Photograve, said.

“Someone had pried it off because they broke the studs off and they were still in the sandstone.

“They’d got a screwdriver or something and just pulled it completely off the sandstone memorial.

“I don’t know why anyone would disrespect the family — they’ve been through enough without having to do this all again.”

OVERNIGHT: ALLISON Baden-Clay’s parents say they are appalled a roadside memorial for the murdered Brookfield mother has been vandalised.

A metal plaque commemorating Ms Baden-Clay’s life was prised from a sandstone memorial at the site where her body was found.

Her parents Geoff and Priscilla Dickie reported the damage to police and have pleaded for the tribute to their daughter to be left alone.

“We were disappointed and upset about someone interfering with it. We think it’s a bit disrespectful to damage a memorial,” Mr Dickie told The Courier-Mail.

Mrs Dickie added that the memorial was important for her daughter’s three girls, who were five, eight and 10 when their father Gerard Baden-Clay murdered their mother in April 2012.

The memorial of Brisbane mother Alison Baden-Clay has been vandalised, devastating her family. #sun7 | https://t.co/y3zqLOvE25 pic.twitter.com/ojp4RuoWM6

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 3, 2017

“It’s a marking stone for them in the future, when we’re gone, that this is where their mother was found,” she said.

The plaque includes the message, “A loving mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, and dear friend to all who knew her — forever in our hearts”.

It had been bolted and glued to the stone memorial at Kholo Creek Bridge on Mt Crosby Rd, Anstead, in Brisbane’s west.

Allison Baden-Clay Memorial has been vandalised at Anstead. Picture: Annette Dew

Allison Baden-Clay copy photo - Photo Supplied Copyright Unknown

Friends of the Dickies found it on the ground at the site and gave it to them. After inspecting the plaque, the original installer told the couple it was forcibly removed.

Police involved in the search and investigation have also been left dismayed by the vandalism.

One officer said: “If the person who damaged it is found, they will certainly be charged.”

The memorial has been the centre of controversy, with some western suburbs residents concerned about road safety and being reminded of the tragedy.

Drivers slowing to a crawl to look at the memorial and performing dangerous U-turns on the narrow road had created a hazard, according to locals.

State MP for Moggill Dr Christian Rowan said in 2015 that more than 60 residents had raised concerns with him.

“It is a road-safety issue for the people living in the Mt Crosby area and it is a very sensitive and complex issue,” Dr Rowan told the ABC at the time.

The Dickies visit the memorial regularly to reflect on their daughter’s life and tragic death.

Mrs Dickie said the plaque was being cleaned and restored and would be returned to its original position.

“Most people have been very supportive of us. We would like to see it respected,” she said.

The memorial to Allison Baden-Clay that has been vandalised. Picture: Peter Wallis