Committee aims to restore deteriorating war memorial
A COMMITTEE is being formed in Southland to find funding for the $20,000 restoration of an Isla Bank war memorial.
‘‘There’s lots of people saying it’s in the toohard basket, but we can’t risk losing it,’’ war memorial restorer Ann Robbie, of Ryal Bush, said.
A meeting, at Calcium Cemetery in Isla Bank on Sunday, encouraged Southland RSAs, women’s clubs and community members to get on board with the restoration.
About 10 members of the Southland community attended to discuss ways of coming up with the funds and keeping costs low.
‘‘I can’t apply for that funding as an individual, so the idea is to form a committee of four or five people,’’ Mrs Robbie said.
Erected by Isla Bank and Otahuti residents ‘‘in about the early 1920s’’, the cenotaph had deteriorated from water leaking into the base.
Lead from the names and message inscriptions had also been stolen several years ago.
It is imprinted with the names of 23 fallen soldiers from World Wars 1 and 2, and maintaining its value was more important than the cost of doing so, Mrs Robbie said.
Three of the 23 veterans are buried at the site and community members had strong ties to the cenotaph.
‘‘It’s beautifully made from marble, but it’s the base that’s the issue.
‘‘It’s actually quietly collapsing. It could last two years, 10 years, or 15 years, we just don’t know.’’
It was important to repair the cenotaph before it was too late. .
The Southland District Council had contributed $5000 towards its restoration.
However, more funding was needed to ensure the cenotaph could withstand another 100 years.