Firstly I have to declare a personal interest in the RSL and the support of the Armed Forces, as I have a whole of family connection to the Armed Forces since, WW1 through to the peacekeeping missions in East Timor and Solomon's and the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
It is interesting to see that a positive proposal has been put forward for the use of RSL Park and ANZAC Pool for consideration by the Federal Government. It is not so long ago that the then Bundaberg City Council was hell bent on making this area a Turtle Centre that would have created a whole range of social and infrastructure issues within the inner city.
If the previous Turtle Centre had been approved this recent sensible proposal by the RSL would have not even seen the light of day. There where, thankfully, many community based groups and individuals that worked tirelessly to have the Turtle Centre fiasco finally put in the fantasy basket.
From what I have read and discussed on the RSL's Remembrance development, I believe it should be wholly supported by the current Bundaberg City Council, State and Federal Governments.
If nothing else, it is fitting that we continue to ensure that those whom have given the supreme sacrifice for our country, and those that have served and continue to do so in any arm of the Australian Armed Services, before and since our federation, be remembered not on a continual basis through the development of a high profile memorial. I especially like the memorial walk idea that links the current cenotaph at the round about with the new memorial park.
Such a memorial will not only be a daily reminder to our own community of the supreme sacrifice and efforts of our Armed Forces, but it will also attract thousands of visitors every year, ensuring that we remember why we enjoy the democratic freedoms we have.
Though it is also interesting to note, that the Millions of $ wasted on the Airport Upgrade and the miss-location of the Hinkler Aviation Museum in the Botanic Gardens, (now there's a miss match if there ever was). Surely an Aviation Museum would have been built at the airport, and in fact could have been the terminal upgrade. If the two projects had been joined together at the airport site, it would have created enough savings to develop the RSL Memorial Gardens site 'without' any other funds. 'Hey', but there's another blunder the Council doesn't want us to remember.
For those whom have given the supreme sacrifice for our country and for the current Bundaberg Council that has blown Millions of $ on the Airport and Hinkler Aviation Centre, "Less We Forget!"
This is my personal view.
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