Copacabana portable memorial vandalised

ANZAC Day commemorations at Copacabana were under a cloud on April 25, as residents remained divided over Central Coast Council’s decision to appoint the RSL to conduct the service after refusing an application to run the event from the Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association of NSW (NVWA), which has hosted it since 2020.

In the lead-up to the big day, the NVWA’s portable memorial, which had been installed on The Green to feature in the ANZAC Day service at the invitation of the RSL, was vandalised – with graffiti and racial slurs painted on to its surfaces and holes burnt in two of its flags, including the Australian flag.

The memorial, which is displayed on The Green for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services, has been recognised as an Official Memorial with the NSW War Memorial Register.

NVWA founder Roque Hammal, who is of Eurasian descent and appearance, is a 70-year-old Vietnam veteran who served in the Australian Navy and the Far East Restricted Reserve peace-keeping mission post-war.

Hammal said he had been deeply distressed by the vandalism and had been subject to racist slurs for many years, including during his service and in the Copacabana community.

“I was very upset when told the memorial had been vandalised – it reminded me of racist treatment (I endured) in the Navy,” he said.

“I have been subjected to this all my life.

“I have been told I am ‘not even Australian’ while cleaning the memorial prior to various events.”

Hammal, who is continuing to question Council’s decision to hand the service over to the RSL, attended the dawn service along with about 100 supporters.

He said he had been told by Council that the decision not to permit the NVWA to conduct this year’s service followed a review of the 2022 event and receipt of up to 60 letters from members of the community.

While he said Council had later told him these letters also contained expressions of support for the NVWA, the inference was that he and the NVWA were unfit to conduct the service.

Council has refused to make the letters public.

Hammal has since collected more than 570 signatures on a petition calling for the NVWA to continue conducting the Copacabana service and dozens of letters of support.

The vandalism has been condemned by both the RSL and Central Coast Council.

RSL NSW President Ray James, a veteran of the Royal Australian Navy, said there was nothing more precious to the veteran community than a memorial which honoured people who have served in the Australian Defence Force.

“As the President of RSL NSW I want to make it clear that the perpetrator/s have not just disrespected a memorial – they have blatantly disrespected every person who has served in the Royal Australian Navy, and the families who have never been able to bury their loved ones,” James said.

“Memorials mean a great deal to families, communities, and the country and the disrespect shown to them so close to ANZAC Day really beggars belief.”

A spokesperson for Council said it did not condone vandalism and was “disappointed that this has occurred”.

“Police have been informed of the incident,” the spokesperson said.

The NVWA has been based in Copacabana for the past 20 years and has been active in supporting veterans of all three branches of the armed services and the Copacabana community.

“Some of its activities have included the Australia Day ceremony on The Green, Clean up Copacabana Days when required, Easter for the Children on The Green, ANZAC Day services on The Green, Vietnam Veteran’s Day on The Green, Remembrance Day on The Green, collection of money for Legacy, Father Christmas for the children of Copacabana on The Green, collection of presents for The Salvation Army and receiving phone calls from veterans and Copacabana community members for assistance.

Terry Collins