UPDATE: Two men, Abel Clark and Peter McMaster, both 61, have admitted to recklessly damaging the Anzac Memorial in Sydney by pouring olive oil over the sacred site in a misguided act of faith. The incident occurred around midday on September 4, and the men pleaded guilty in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Authorities report that this act may have permanently stained the memorial’s granite walls and steps. Clark and McMaster, who identified themselves as born-again Christians, maintain that they intended to show respect for veterans and their families. However, they acknowledged after their arrest that their actions may have been excessive.
“We might have got out of hand a little bit, a bit careless, and we apologize for that,” Clark stated in an interview with Nine News. Caught on CCTV, the men expressed their willingness to apologize directly to any veterans affected by their actions, with Clark noting, “My grandfather was in World War II.”
NSW Veterans Minister David Harris condemned the act, asserting that “any harm to this sacred memorial is an affront to the values it represents and the memory of those it honours.” In response to this incident, the government plans to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting the Hyde Park memorial. This legislation will increase penalties for defacing war memorials, raising the maximum penalty from five to seven years in prison. Additionally, it will criminalize activities such as riding scooters or skateboards around the Anzac Memorial.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 29, where further legal ramifications may be discussed. This developing story has sparked outrage among the community, highlighting the need for greater protection of memorials dedicated to those who served in the armed forces.
As this situation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the proposed legislation and public response to the damage inflicted on this revered site.
