Veterans cry foul as council remains silent!
Locked behind a building site fence on Gilbert Street, Latrobe, stands a figure that deserves to be immortalised.
In almost everyone’s mind he is one of Australia’s greatest war herooes. It’s Teddy Sheean, Victoria Cross. Among other things, the Tasmanian government grants program for war memorials is now named after him.
Latrobe Council Mayor Peter Freshney last year in December stated that the council would build a fitting memorial park for the community’s favourite son. He promised $100,000 from LC, to be augmented by $50,000 from the state government and the balance of $150,000 from federal government.
This week all was abandoned.
The community had been engaged to put in design submissions or suggestion on the memorial park and I understand many had been received.
Veterans and the community are rightfully outraged at the disrespect this mayor and the council has now shown to war hero Teddy Sheean VC.
The mayor has been silent on the matter. Council has sent out letters to those submitters advising of not going ahead with the project.
It’s shameful and disgraceful that the community, veterans and politicians all went into bat to get the Victoria Cross for Teddy Sheean and this is the result.
Now council won’t follow through on their promise to the community and veterans alike to ensure the sacrifice made is forever immortalised in the Teddy Sheean Memorial Park in Latrobe.
Latrobe Mayor should hang his head in shame for this disgraceful about face and come out and explain why.
Council cannot just hide behind budget cut backs or limited rate increase. This is Teddy Sheean VC.
If there was ever a dollar to be spent on something worthwhile this is it.
When will the will of the people be heard in Latrobe by the Mayor? Teddy Sheean VC deserves better.
