‘I got denied’: Claims memorial for slain cops, neighbour knocked back

A man who dubs himself the ‘town representative’ of Tara denies that he never submitted a council application for a permanent memorial for those murdered in the Wieambilla massacre.

A self-appointed ‘town representative’ of Tara, in the Western Downs region, denies that he never submitted a council application for a permanent memorial for two police officers and a neighbour murdered at Wieambilla in December, it can be revealed.

But it is claimed by some that Western Downs Regional Council (WDRC) only ever received a “suggestion” from Tara resident David Patrick Edwin Maynard.

Mr Maynard has categorically denied the claims and said he submitted an application to WDRC on January 6.

“I haven’t actually got a donation letter from the community service, so there’s been no money, no raffles, nobody asking to give me money,” he said.

Mr Maynard previously commented on a social media post about a permanent memorial erected at Miles Police Station and said: “Lovely to see but I’m confused why I got denied for one in Tara omg”.

The newly unveiled memorial at Miles Police Station. Picture: Chloe Cufflin.

Asked why he told residents that the application was “denied”, Mr Maynard said: “(the council) have pretty much ignored my emails, they don’t get back to me about it so as far as I’m concerned it hasn’t been approved…I don’t know what else we can do”.

“I keep getting the run-around from the council,” he said.

But WDRC spokeswoman said: “Council has received individual suggestions from some residents, including David Maynard, in relation to the installation of a memorial to remember fallen officers Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, as well as Wieambilla resident Alan Dare.

Constable Matthew Arnold.

Constable Rachel McCrow.

“The establishment of a permanent memorial in Tara is not a decision that rests solely with council. Any decision would require careful consideration with respect to the families of the three victims and the Queensland Police Service.”

The murdered Queensland Police officers were among four who walked into an ambush at the Wains Rd property on December 12.

Constables Arnold, 26, and McCrow, 29, were shot dead, alongside Mr Dare, 58.

Constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, both 28, escaped.

Murdered man Alan Dare with his wife Kerry.

The officers and Mr Dare were murdered by Gareth Train, his wife Stacey, a former school principal, and Gareth’s brother, Nathaniel.

The Trains were later shot dead by police after a stand-off with officers from the Special Emergency Response Team.

The Queensland Police Service has been reached for comment.

Originally published as ‘I got denied’: Claims memorial for slain cops, neighbour knocked back