Council Offers $2,000 Reward on Vandals Who Damaged 108-Year-Old Memorial

The Ipswich City Council, around 40 minutes’ west of Brisbane, has offered a $2,000 (US$1,435) reward for information on who severely damaged a World War I statue.

The statue, known as the Ebbw Vale War Memorial, was erected in 1918 in tribute to veterans of the First World War.

But around sometime around May 8 someone severely damaged the monument on Brisbane Road, removing its head, rifle and arm.

The incident happened a fortnight after Anzac Day and follows a string of similar attacks on colonial-era monuments all over the country in recent years, with incidents timed to occur around national events like ANZAC and Australia Day.

May 8 is also a date suggested as an alternative to Australia Day, which is on Jan 26, due to it sounding like the word “mate.”

Ipswich City Councillor Andrew Antoniollli said the council condemned the vandalism.

“This incident has caused distress in our community, particularly to those in the veteran and serving communities, including those that don’t have a final resting place for their loved ones who fought and died for Australia,” he said.

“This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and anyone responsible must be brought to justice and council is doing its part by offering this reward.”

Antoniolli said the council was not equipped to deal with tips, so urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“Council is still exploring appropriate reinstatement options for the statue, and decision will be made at a future council meeting,” he said in his statement.

A Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson told The Epoch Times officers were investigating the incident.

“Police were alerted to the incident after council workers discovered damage to the statue on Brisbane Road around 7.30am on 8 May,” they said.

“The statue of the soldier received extensive damage to the head and right arm.

“At this stage it is not known when the incident occurred.”

Police have urged anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage of anyone acting suspicious in the area to contact police on 1800 333 000 and quote reference QP2600879257.

Investigations are continuing.

The British Australian Community (BAC) has started tracking incidents of vandalism against colonial or historic monuments in Australia, and says around 50 incidents have been reported in the past three years.

BAC President Harry Richardson told The Epoch Times in April that arrests are rare.

“In contrast, when monuments of other cultural or religious groups are targeted, responses are swift—law enforcement pursues offenders, governments denounce them and pledge funding for compensation, and public figures plus the mainstream media loudly condemn the attacks,” he said.

“Selective enforcement and political indifference encourage vandals by sending a dangerous message: attacks on Australia’s national heritage will be tolerated.”

The Epoch Times contacted the Queensland Police Service for comment.