Calls for transparency over missing Anzac Pool artefacts | Video

Bundaberg community groups demand the council reveal what it has done with the foundation stone and plaque for the Anzac Memorial Pool amid the pool’s centenary commemoration.

The location and fate of the foundation stone and plaque laid at the foundation of Bundaberg’s Anzac Memorial Pool were a topic of concern raised by residents who gathered to commemorate the pool’s centenary on Friday, August 25.

The small crowd in Anzac Park were determined not to let their upsetting memories of the pool’s demolition in September 2022 override the 99 years of service to the community by the pool established in 1923 as a place of recreation for the servicemen who returned from the First World War and their families.

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The informal ceremony was opened by Angela Lathouras from Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group, who thanked all who were involved with the effort to save the pool including the Friends of Anzac Memorial Pool community group which drove the pool’s application for heritage listing.

The current location of the foundation stone and plaque laid by Ethel Campbell was a frequently raised concern at Friday's gathering.

Ms Lathouras gave an evocative speech telling the gathering of the pool’s foundation by Ethel Campbell, known as the ‘Angel of Durban’ by Australian troops who were waved into Durban Harbour by Miss Campbell on their way to war.

“The original Anzac gift to Bundaberg lasted for 99 years,” Ms Lathouras said.

“Even now that it has been jackhammered to rubble and dirt, it will always be a place full of memories.

“A hole has been left in the heart of Bundaberg, but it has brought people together with ties that bind.”

Veteran Max Francis, who served in the Navy for more than 20 years, said the council should tell the community where the foundation stone and plaque were, and commit to incorporating them into the Anzac Park redevelopment.

Veteran Max Francis said the council should tell the community where the foundation stone and plaque are currently and commit to incorporating them into the Anzac Park redevelopment.

“I’ve heard a rumour that they’re going to be donated to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra,” Mr Francis said.

“I hope that’s not the case, I think they should be here; those plaques have stood there for 99 years.”

Mr Francis said proposals for a digital display informing future generations about the Memorial Pool are not enough, with his preference being for something more tangible including the original stone and plaque.

“I‘d like to see it in bricks and mortar so it’s there forever,” he said.

“But then again, as we learned with Anzac Pool bricks and mortar can come apart too.”

Former Bundaberg councillor Mary Walsh said she was “appalled” to learn that the community had not been informed about the current location of the stone and plaque.

Former Bundaberg councillor Mary Walsh said she was “appalled” to learn that the community had not been informed about the current location of the stone and plaque.

“What has the council done with them?,” Mrs Walsh asked.

“Why didn’t they have the gumption to turn up today?

“The community … had no say over the demolition of the pool; they’re entitled to have a say over where they are and what is going to happen to them.

“All of those councillors have to have sufficient courage to come out and tell the community that those plaques are safe.

“I wasn’t going to mention the political bastardry of this council, … but it is political bastardry.”

Jann Edwards, president of The Friends of Anzac Memorial Pool, said the demolition of the pool by council was “disgusting” and amounted to the “desecration of a war memorial”.

Jann Edwards president of The Friends of Anzac Memorial Pool, said the demolition of the pool by council was “disgusting” and amounted to the “desecration of a war memorial”.

Ms Edwards lamented the council’s failure to inform the community about the location of the foundation stone and plaque nor commit to incorporating them into the Anzac Park redevelopment.

“Unfortunately, it’s those questions that never seem to be answered,” she said.

“You never get a definite answer, it’s so disheartening because we have the councillors there to represent the people and we’re not getting that representation.”

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Bundaberg council did not respond on Friday to questions asking whether it would provide an assurance that the foundation stone and plaque would be incorporated into the Anzac Park redevelopment as a gesture of goodwill to the community.

Originally published as Calls for transparency over missing Anzac Pool artefacts | Video