THE current location of Swan Hill’s cenotaph has been called into question, with key stakeholders seeking community feedback on a proposition to move it to a new site.
Situated at the intersection of Campbell and McCallum Street — arguably one of the busiest thoroughfares in Swan Hill — the memorial was unveiled on May 23, 1958 and has remained in the same location for the past 57 years.
But that may be about to change.
The proposal is up for discussion, according to Swan Hill RSL Sub-branch president Barry Townley, with the question put to members at an annual general meeting of the local group just over a week ago.
“It is the people of Swan Hill and district that [the cenotaph] is there for,” he said.
“The RSL are only the custodians of it and the [Swan Hill Rural City] Council are the owners on behalf of the people of Swan Hill.
“It has been on the drawing board for the past six or seven years with different [council] CEOs.
“I think what it is is that they want to redo the central area of the street… it was the most logical place to put it back in the early 1950s.”
Mr Townley said increases in Campbell Street traffic was not a concern.
The eastern side of the clock tower or Riverside Park have been suggested as locations.
Swan Hill resident Graeme Winter said the current location of the cenotaph was a “traditional spot”, but acknowledged time may have “caught up with it”, in relation to traffic changes.
But the current location was easy to find — for locals and visitors alike.
He wasn’t sure if the memorial should be moved or not, but said the eastern side of the clock tower was a possibility.
“That side of the clock tower is probably an area that is under-utilised at the moment and [the cenotaph] would probably fit alright,” he said.
“There is a different use [at Riverside Park] and it could get put in a corner and forgotten.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s paper (April 1).
