A plan to take the name “war memorial” out of the official title of pools at Henty and Holbrook has drawn a flurry of opposition from Eastern Riverina residents.
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From letter box drops to online petitions and social media posts people from the region have voiced overwhelming opposition to a decision by the Greater Hume Shire Council to remove the wording ‘memorial’.
One online petition with links shared to Facebook attracted 318 votes. All of the voters were in favour of retaining the world ‘war memorial’ in the names of both pools. And several other residents who contacted the Eastern Riverina Chronicle wrote to council to object to the plan.
In fact, some forwarded copies of emails and letters they had sent to council to the Eastern Riverina Chronicle and interestingly the argument to retain the wording ‘memorial’ appeared to unite the community. There was an overwhelming sense of respect that needed to be retained when considering the role Australia, and members of the local community, had played in war and conflict to protect the freedoms enjoyed today.
Council received some 58 letters of objection.
However, the naming is set to be retained following an announcement that Councillor Annette Schilg has lodged a rescission motion to refer to the sites “in new signage as the Henty War Memorial Swimming Pool and the Holbrook War Memorial Swimming Pool”. Cr Schilg told The Border Mail: “My family have been involved in the armed services and I have great respect for that history and background and it didn’t sit right that night and the next day and I thought I’ve got to do something to switch it back.”
“I know I’ve stuffed up and I should never have gone ahead with it.”
Cr Schilg’s rescission motion also calls for signage noting the post World War II pools’ original “dedication as a war memorial” and urges consultation with RSL sub-branches over those signs’ content and creation.
It could be argued that the true benefit of this debate is the power and voices of the community. And early indications show that councillors and the shire council are prepared to listen.
It is heartening to see that people can stand up for what they believe in and also be united at the same time.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
