‘Just history and music’: RSL denies vigil at Cenotaph a political event
Tasmania RSL CEO John Hardy says a vigil at the Hobart Cenotaph on the eve of Remembrance Day was not about politics, ‘just history and music’.
Tasmania
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The Tasmania RSL estimates 2500 people turned out at a vigil at the Hobart Cenotaph, which it said was about “history and music” and not politics.
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the TSO chorus performed to the large crowd who gathered on Sunday ahead of Remembrance Day on Monday.
The vigil was held to highlight the importance of the Cenotaph amid fears by the RSL that a proposed stadium at Macquarie Point will impact important sight lines and the TSO’s concerns about noise during construction and on concerts after it is built.
Some RSL members argued the Sunday vigil politicised Remembrance Day and stayed away.
Tasmania RSL CEO John Hardy was pleased at the turnout.
“There’s a good two and a half thousand people here and I thought we’d get this many,” he said.
“There’s no politics and no banners. It is just history and music.”
Mr Hardy said when the Hobart Cenotaph, the oldest state cenotaph in the country, opened in 1925, 10,000 of the city’s 15,000 people turned up for the ceremony.
“This is a people’s cenotaph, it is not the government’s and it is a sacred place.
“It is about respecting the past.”
Mr Hardy was cautious about criticising the state government but said: “Tasmania is a big place, there are a lot of places we could build a stadium”.
Vietnam veteran Tom McGee, who served in the army for 30 years, volunteered at the vigil handing out programs.
He said he was not a member of the RSL but believed the stadium would impact the cenotaph.
“I’m not here to protest but it is a matter of respecting the Hobart Cenotaph, the first in Australia,” Mr McGee said.
“A stadium would be so intrusive on this sacred ground.
“I accept progress, but I’m concerned the stadium has been forced upon us.”
Mr McGee, who is a TSO committee and a former Chorus member, said people did not realise the full impact of the stadium on the TSO.
“They don’t realise the impact it will have during construction and also the noise when they are recording, as well as performing.”
Football lover Rayne Allinson went to the vigil with her almost two-year-old daughter Tilly and said the stadium should be considered at another site.
She said her grandfather served in World War II and her great grandfather in World War I and she always tried to observe Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
“I passionately support preserving the Cenotaph,” she said.
“I’m not against a Tasmanian team, I love the football and the Bulldogs but I am not convinced it is the right site.
“The cost is also a worry when you can see people who are homeless living in tents nearby and under trees which shows how pressing the homelessness crisis is.
“Surely, we can upgrade other alternatives without spending so much.”
The TSO brass and percussion section and TSO Chorus captivated those who gathered, with some bring deck chairs for the hour-long performance which included a wide repertoire of music and songs.
Acting Premier Guy Barnett said the government would continue to engage with veterans about the stadium at Macquarie Point.
“Remembrance Day should not be politicised in any way, shape or form,” he said.
“We will continue to engage with our veterans in how we can better honour and support our veterans in the building of the multipurpose precinct at Macquarie Point.”
Greens MP Vica Bayley said it was “a powerful event to see two cultural institutions come together to celebrate Australia’s oldest state war memorial”.
“This is a place that has strong protections for its heritage values, because it is so significant,” he said.
“It’s a very important location, it’s revered by many people and that reverence and that ambience is protected and should be protected forever in our planning laws.
“We do not celebrate war and violence but we stand in solidarity with veterans and we do honour their sacrifice because it is incredibly important.”
Labor MP Josh Willie believes the RSL has “legitimate concerns” and said the government should take into account the concerns of stakeholders.
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Originally published as ‘Just history and music’: RSL denies vigil at Cenotaph a political event
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