Tasmanian war veteran says Hobart City Council’s Dark Mofo decision is disrespectful to Anzacs

A war veteran is calling on the Hobart City Council to stop Dark Mofo’s new night-time entertainment event from happening at a site considered sacred to Anzacs.

A Tasmanian war veteran has started a petition calling on the Hobart City Council to reverse its decision to allow Dark Mofo to run part of its festival at the Domain. Picture: Jarrad Seng

A TASMANIAN war veteran is calling on the Hobart City Council to stop Dark Mofo’s new night-time entertainment event from happening at a site considered sacred to Anzacs.

Ged Lagereuskij, owner of the Tasmanian Military Museum at Glenorchy, has started a petition demanding the council reverse its decision to allow Dark Mofo to run its new alternative to Dark Park — Dark Path — at the Domain.

CAUTIOUS APPROVAL FOR DARK PARK ALTERNATIVE

The plan involves creating a free public art installation path starting at the Bridge of Remembrance, through the Soldiers Memorial Avenue and around in a loop right into the gardens.

Mr Lagereuskij, an Australian army vet who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor, said a lot of veterans had reached out to him to express their concerns over the plan.

To do this smack bang in the middle of the heart of the Anzac memorial precinct of the city is inappropriate

“As a recent veteran I am personally offended the council did not consider the anxiety and offence that this decision would cause a significant portion of the community, or if they did consider it, they chose to ignore it,” he said.

“My main concern is Dark Mofo is a risque, provocative, controversial festival that likes to do things that are not acceptable to the community.

“That’s fine but to do this smack bang in the middle of the heart of the Anzac memorial precinct of the city is inappropriate.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council had asked Dark Mofo to consult with community groups that have an active interest on the Domain.

“I am sure the organisers will be respectful to these views and our staff will be working to ensure that special areas are not damaged,” he said.

“Much of the activity is going to be focused on the Beaumaris Zoo site and the Botanic Gardens, not along the Soldiers Memorial Avenue.”

Earlier this week, RSL Tasmania acting president Geoff Leitch voiced his concerns over the project.

The council will provide almost $500,000 in funding to Dark Mofo this year to fund Winter Feast and the Domain public art installation.

To view the petition visit Tasmania Military Museum on Facebook.