It seems the controversy surrounding the Legacy statue for Kings Park has not been resolved. The Kings Park Board again have refused to allow a small statue, depicting a woman and her child, from being erected in Kings Park War Memorial precinct. Legacy has and does play an important role in providing financial and emotional support for families, widows, widowers and children of our armed forces men and women in times of need. Which makes me surprised as to why they are denied being acknowledged in the precinct. I can’t imagine any man or women of our Armed Forces having an issue with a Legacy statue being erected there. In fact the Legacy statue in Melbourne takes pride of place next to the Shrine of Remembrance. It is a simple an poignant sculpture that reminds us all of the other face of war, the often forgotten people, the women, men and children who are left to carry one without their loved one.

There can be nothing more despicable than desecrating public art ( you would think). But to intentionally vandalize a war memorial is inexcusable.  Under the cover of darkness cowards crept up to Geraldton’s HMAS Sydney Memorial , dedicated to the 645 men who lost their lives during the battle with the Kormoran off the coast of Western Australia, and poured oil over what is now considered a sacred site. The oil was poured over every single sailor’s name on the memorial wall and then the ‘Waiting Woman‘ statue.  The Geraldton community is still in shock over the blatant act of vandalism.  The memorial has become one of the town’s major tourist attractions since the discovery of the wreckage of the HMAS Sydney earlier this year.

Poor Eliza found herself all dolled up but nowhere to go, but that was in January. Months later it seems that one of the newest addition to Perth’s public art collection is still waiting for a change (doesn’t anybody care she has been in the same outfit for months?). There are several statues around the world that people just love to dress up. The most famous of them all is Manneken Pis in Brussels, who has over a 100 different costumes and it seems our little Eliza statue is heading towards the same fate (though she has only one so far). It isn’t a bad life, Il Porcellino (the little pig) outside the Sydney Hospital doesn’t seem to mind at all. That little piggy can boast quite a few outfits . But I do think if this is going to be a trend for Eliza, a more thoughtful approach would be appreciated. That green tank across her face just isn’t working for me.

News Flash : Stop the presses Eliza has been seen in new attire. Yes, our water mannequin has been spotted dressed in the Scotch College regalia. You go girl.

The airwaves are abuzz with the announcement that the Kings Park Board have rejected an application for a statue to be erected in the War Memorial precinct of the park. Now, one would assume that the application was for some horrific eyesore. But alas no, the application was from the Perth Legacy group to have a statue, not unlike the one that so proudly stands next the Melbourne’s shrine of Remembrance, to be placed near the main War Memorial. A small statue of a widow women holding the hands of her two small children doesn’t seem like too much to ask considering the role Legacy plays in helping the widows, widowers and children of deceased members of our armed services. Presently the organization is looking after 7,500 thousand widows/widowers and their children. Legacy provide financial & medical support and accommodation and have been helping families in Western Australia since the 1920’s.
The boards reasoning was that the statue wasn’t suitable for the designated area. I think the Government should take a long hard look at these boards that are supposedly representing the people of Perth!