Three war memorials across Queensland were vandalised in separate incidents just days before Remembrance Day, with two men charged with wilful damage.
At Cleveland’s Anzac Memorial Park, a 106-year-old sandstone cenotaph was damaged overnight between Saturday and Sunday. The large sandstone pillar was found shattered on the ground after falling from its base. Footage showed young men laughing as the column toppled. A 20-year-old man has since handed himself in to police and been charged with wilful damage. Police are also seeking three other people reportedly in the area at the time.
In Hervey Bay, CCTV captured a black Nissan Navara driving across a field towards a war memorial at Freedom Park shortly before 7am on Monday. The driver had placed a mattress over the bonnet and windscreen before repeatedly ramming a large metal flagpole, striking it three times. Hervey Bay RSL sub-branch president Brad Gray said he was shocked by the damage. “I’ve got no idea what the hell they get out of it,” he told 7NEWS. “To us, to all veterans, this is a sacred area.” A 38-year-old man was arrested nearby and charged with wilful damage, possessing a knife in a public place and drug-related offences. Police allegedly found a bladed weapon, drugs and drug utensils inside the vehicle.
At Moore Park near Bundaberg, another RSL memorial site was targeted in a separate vehicle rampage. Tyre tracks were left across the grounds and memorial displays were damaged. Redlands RSL sub-branch president Rob Wilson said the attack had left him questioning whether those responsible would ever take responsibility. “I wonder if they’ve got the guts to come forward and say, ‘we did it and we’re sorry’,” he said.
QPS Superintendent Jon Kent described the offences as “cowardly and disgraceful”.
The attacks have prompted calls for tougher penalties for damage to war memorials. Wilful damage carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, while interference with a war memorial carries a maximum one-year penalty. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said tougher penalties would be considered if court outcomes fell short. “We will watch the outcome very closely if it progresses through court, and if tougher laws are needed, they will be considered,” he said.
RSL Queensland state secretary Iain Carty said education was key. “Ignorance is what leads to a lot of these things, unfortunately. So if we continue to educate, then hopefully these things won’t happen in the future.”
Despite the damage, the RSL is urging the community to turn out in force for Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, as a show of respect.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The vandalism comes just before Remembrance Day, a key moment of national commemoration, and targets sites considered sacred to veterans and the community
- The incidents have triggered a debate about whether penalties for damaging war memorials are sufficient, with the premier open to toughening laws
- The response from leaders and the RSL emphasises both accountability and education, shaping how the state addresses disrespect to war memorials
Background
War memorials in Australia are protected under state and federal laws, with specific offences for wilful damage and interference. The attacks have drawn widespread condemnation ahead of Remembrance Day, which honours military personnel who died in war.
Key Perspectives
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli: said tougher penalties would be considered if court outcomes fall short, and that he will watch the court process closely.
QPS Superintendent Jon Kent: called the offences “cowardly and disgraceful”.
Hervey Bay RSL sub-branch president Brad Gray: expressed shock, saying the memorial is a “sacred area” to veterans.
Redlands RSL sub-branch president Rob Wilson: questioned whether those responsible would take responsibility and apologise.
RSL Queensland state secretary Iain Carty: said ignorance leads to many such acts, and education is key to prevention.
What to Watch
- Court outcomes for the two charged men, which may prompt legislative changes if penalties are seen as inadequate
- Whether police identify and charge the three others sought in connection with the Cleveland incident
- Community turnout for Remembrance Day, which the RSL hopes will be a strong show of respect despite the damage
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThree Queensland war memorials were vandalised in separate incidents just days before Remembrance Day.7NEWS: “Three war memorials have been vandalised across one state in separate incidents just days before Remembrance Day”
- SupportedTwo men were charged with wilful damage.7NEWS: “A 20-year-old man has since handed himself in to police and been charged with wilful damage.”
- SupportedCleveland’s 106-year-old sandstone cenotaph was damaged overnight between Saturday and Sunday and found shattered on the ground after falling from its base.7NEWS: “At Cleveland’s Anzac Memorial Park, a 106-year-old sandstone cenotaph was damaged overnight between Saturday and Sunday. The large sandstone pillar was found shattered on the ground after falling from its base.”
- SupportedBrad Gray said, “I’ve got no idea what the hell they get out of it.”7NEWS: “Hervey Bay RSL sub-branch president Brad Gray said he was shocked by the damage. “I’ve got no idea what the hell they get out of it,” he told 7NEWS.”
- SupportedBrad Gray said, “To us, to all veterans, this is a sacred area.”7NEWS: ““To us, to all veterans, this is a sacred area.””
- SupportedIn Hervey Bay, a black Nissan Navara drove towards the Freedom Park memorial shortly before 7am on Monday, with a mattress over the bonnet and windscreen, and rammed the flagpole three times.7NEWS: “In Hervey Bay, CCTV captured a black Nissan Navara driving across a field towards a war memorial at Freedom Park shortly before 7am on Monday, November 9. The driver had placed a mattress over the bonnet and windscreen before repeatedly ramming a large metal flagpole, striking it three times.”
- SupportedA 38-year-old man was arrested nearby and charged with wilful damage, possessing a knife in a public place and drug-related offences.7NEWS: “A 38-year-old man was arrested nearby and charged with wilful damage, possessing a knife in a public place and drug-related offences.”
- SupportedPolice allegedly found a bladed weapon, drugs and drug utensils inside the vehicle.7NEWS: “Police allegedly found a bladed weapon, drugs and drug utensils inside the vehicle.”
- SupportedRob Wilson said, “I wonder if they’ve got the guts to come forward and say, ‘we did it and we’re sorry’.”7NEWS: “Redlands RSL sub-branch president Rob Wilson said the attack had left him questioning whether those responsible would ever take responsibility. “I wonder if they’ve got the guts to come forward and say, ‘we did it and we’re sorry’,” he said.”
- SupportedQPS Superintendent Jon Kent described the offences as “cowardly and disgraceful”.7NEWS: ““These particular offences are cowardly and disgraceful,” QPS Superintendent Jon Kent said.”
- SupportedWilful damage carries a maximum seven-year prison penalty, while interference with a war memorial carries a maximum one-year penalty.7NEWS: “Wilful damage carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, while interference with a war memorial carries a maximum one-year penalty.”
- SupportedPremier David Crisafulli said, “We will watch the outcome very closely if it progresses through court, and if tougher laws are needed, they will be considered.”7NEWS: “Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said tougher penalties would be considered if court outcomes fell short. “We will watch the outcome very closely if it progresses through court , and if tougher laws are needed, they will be considered,” he said.”