Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance a hotbed of Pokemon Go activity

THE Pokemon Go craze has been branded “appalling” by the ­RSL, as hundreds swarm to the Shrine of Remembrance to catch digital prey.

Dave Thomson playing Pokemon Go at the Shrine.

THE Pokemon Go craze has been branded “appalling” and “disrespectful” by the ­Returned and Services League, as hundreds swarm to the Shrine of Remembrance to try and catch their digital prey.

The Shrine has become a hotbed of Pokemon activity, in which scores of the creatures are caught and battled through the smartphone app.

The Shrine itself, and Eternal Flame in the forecourt, are marked as “Pokemon gyms” around which app users need to hover with smartphones to fight other Pokemon.

Speaking from France, RSL Victorian state president Major-General David McLachlan slammed the practice.

“I think it’s disrespectful, given the sanctity of the Shine Reserve, and what the Shrine stands for in our society,” he said. “The Shrine of Remembrance is a sacrosanct area, and honours the contribution made by Victorians since the First World War.

Hud Shiels and Hayley Miller looking for Pokemon at the Shrine of Remembrance. Picture: Ellen Smith

The Shrine and Eternal Flame are marked as “Pokemon gyms”.

“It is a sacred ground and it should not be used for whatever community activity outside commemoration.”

Pokemon catchers at the Shrine said they didn’t necessarily regard playing the phenomenally successful app there as disrespectful.

They said it had helped them get more exercise, and get them away from their desks on their lunch breaks.

Jay Ong, 27, of Warragul, said he had been playing Pokemon Go since the day it was released, and had enjoyed “how social it is”.

“It encourages people to exercise and get out of the house,” he said.

“Since starting the app, I’m reaching between 15,000 and 20,000 steps a day, easily.”

Jeremy Dalton, of South Melbourne, catching Pokemon at the Shrine on his lunch break, said the app helped pull him away from his desk.

“And it’s helped me get my girlfriend out and about, and convinced her to come on walks with me,” he said.

The Shrine of Remembrance declined to comment.

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