EFFORTS to retain a memorial seat in Kerang’s major shopping strip have received a boost, with a community meeting hearing Gannawarra Shire Council’s views on the issue.
Close to 40 people attended a public meeting on Tuesday to protest the proposed removal of a memorial seat, located outside the Kerang post office, dedicated to two World War One soldiers.
The seat, which honours the lives of Appin resident, Corporal George Vernon Carter – who was killed in action on December 24, 1917 – and Lake Meran farmer, Bob Emmett – who was killed in action on April 15, 1918, was to be removed as part of a $750,000 redevelopment of Victoria Square.
A number of community groups, including the Kerang and District Family History Group, Kerang and District Returned and Services League sub-branch, Kerang Probus and the Rotary Club of Kerang. oppose the proposal, leading to Tuesday’s meeting.
“Eric (Braslis, council chief executive officer) acknowledged that there had not been enough public consultation before the plan was drawn up and he accepted that everyone at the meting wanted the seat to be retained where it is,” history group research officer, Bev Nethercote said.
The initial feedback period closed on August 31, but has been extended to today.
“We are happy the shire has listened to what we were saying but we won’t really be confident until the project is finished and the seat is still there,” Ms Nethercote said.
Council had given a guarantee in August 2014 that the seat would be retained, after the group expressed concern about a consultant’s description of the seat as a “place-stuffer”.
“The post office, the court house and the memorial chambers are all heritage buildings, so they create a heritage precinct and the memorial seat is in keeping with that,” Ms Nethercote said.
The families of Mr Carter and Mr Emmett dedicated the seat and shade structure, located near the Kerang council chambers that were constructed to honour those who served in World War One, to the fallen mates.
The red roof and green seat are both significant as they were the colours of the 6th Battalion, in which both Mr Emmett and Mr Carter served.
The seat is heritage listed and could only be relocated, not dismantled, but Ms Nethercote said much of its significance lay in its location.
“During the war period that was where families came to get the dreaded mail to say their son wasn’t coming home, so it’s significant the seat being where it is,” she said.
In a statement, council said it understood the significance the seat has with the community, with no decision on the final redevelopment plans made.
A revised proposal will be put up for public comment later in the year.
