Vahland “amazed” by Broadbent response
Warragul RSL president Ben Vahland is stunned and disappointed that Member for Monash Russell Broadbent claimed he knew nothing about a grant the sub branch was seeking for a new project at Gulwarra Heights Cemetery in Warragul.
Mr Vahland said the sub branch was disappointed that only $10,000 was received for the $140,000 project, but even more amazed that Mr Broadbent said he was not aware of the project.
"He signed a letter of support for the project in January this year but by May he has forgotten about it," Mr Vahland said.
Warragul RSL sought funding through the Saluting Their Service Commemorative grants program for a remembrance memorial garden at Gulwarra Heights to honour the service and sacrifice of those from the Baw Baw Shire in war, peacemaking, and peacekeeping.
The new Remembrance Memorial will provide a dedicated space within the Gulwarra Heights Memorial Garden to commemorate all who have served in peacekeeping missions to date, as well as in the future.
The Warragul RSL intend to create a space for private reflection by incorporating benches, rosemary hedges, and arches to frame views of the Gippsland countryside.
As well as this, the proposed Remembrance Memorial Project also provides a place for families to meet after services for any veterans at the neighbouring Warragul Cemetery.
The Warragul RSL intends to introduce a 'Veterans Day' remembrance event to be held at this site, which will provide an easily accessible space for the community to reflect and commemorate those who have served.
Mr Vahland said the RSL was keen to develop the memorial garden because the current cenotaphs in Baw Baw Shire primarily focus World Wars I and II. The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants provides an opportunity for the Warragul RSL to create a space for the community to commemorate those who have served in all missions involving peacemaking and peacekeeping.
Mr Vahland said the RSL was disappointed Mr Broadbent made great fanfare of the $10,000 grant on his website but failed to acknowledge it would not even go towards starting the project.
"And then when asked about the funding he claims not to be aware of the project itself. Yet in January he wrote a letter of support for it. I find it hard to believe that he would just sign anything without being aware of it," he said.
Mr Broadbent said he signed hundreds of documents a week.
When asked if he read the funding submissions he signed, he said he skimmed over but "I trust my staff to put documents in front of me that require my signature."