General News
20 August, 2024
Historic pioneer gates could be removed
By CHRIS EARL PLANS to remove memorial gates at Rheola Recreation Reserve have stirred community disquiet, The reserve committee wants to widen the main vehicle entrance to the reserve. Its plan would remove gates erected soon after World War Two to...
By CHRIS EARL
PLANS to remove memorial gates at Rheola Recreation Reserve have stirred community disquiet,
The reserve committee wants to widen the main vehicle entrance to the reserve. Its plan would remove gates erected soon after World War Two to honour district pioneers.
A memorial plaque would be moved to a wall on the ticket box.
A Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action said: “DEECA is currently awaiting lodgement of plans by the Rheola Pioneers Memorial Park Reserve Committee Incorporated in order to consider their proposal to widen the main vehicle entrance to the reserve, which would involve relocation of the memorial gates.”
But Rheola Charity Carnival president Matt Catto has labelled plans to remove the historic entrance gates an insult.
“There is no reason to change the historic entrance or remove the plaque,” Mr Catto said.
“As a community, we’re really unsure where the idea came from. There’s no support from from the charity carnival committee or the hall committee.
“The entrance is iconic. It’s where thousands of people walk through every Easter Monday when our community hosts the biggest, oldest and longest-running event in the Loddon Shire.
“You can’t just wipe away history because someone wants to have a wider entrance. There are already other places where larger vehicles are able to enter the reserve - that’s how vintage tractors arriving for the carnival’s tractor pull get into position.”
Mr Catto said local residents had expressed disappointment to the recreation reserve committee leaders.
“Our concerns have also been taken to DEECA. We want the reserve’s history retained, protected and continued to be cele-brated,” Mr Catto said.
“The memorial gates are part of Rheola, the plaque on the gate pillar at the ground’s entrance recognises and honours those who were among the district pioneers. Many of their extended families are still part of the community to this day.”
Mr Catto said no reasonable explanation had been given “for what can only be called an attack on our local history”.
“Honestly, many of us think replacement of the gates, knocking down the pillars and installing a wider cattle grid is a waste of time and money,” he said.
Mr Catto said residents would continue talks with the reserve committee leaders and DEECA. “We hope they can see sense and reason and abandon the plan.”