New war memorial for Busselton

The Busselton War Memorial will not be moved despite concerns about its location at the busy intersection of Queen Street and Bussell Highway.

Instead, it will stay in place as a “historical artefact” while a new Busselton War Memorial is built at Rotary Park.

RSL Busselton sub-branch president Steve Mott said the decision not to move the existing memorial was based on advice that it could be irreparably damaged if shifted.

“Stonemasons found that the core of sandstone and cracks in the base of the monument may result in its destruction if it is moved,“ Mr Mott said.

Following extensive community engagement throughout 2022 and into 2023, the design for a new Busselton War Memorial, set in a more appropriate location, has been approved.

The Busselton War Memorial project has been a contentious issue, triggering some heated debate.

This disappointed Mr Mott, a former member of the Australian Army who served in East Timor, Bosnia, Iraq, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan.

“Cenotaphs all over the world exist to commemorate those who were killed in service,” Mr Mott said.

“War memorials should not be used as platforms for airing political views.”

Work has already started on the new memorial and is intended to be completed in time for Anzac Day in April.

Mr Mott said the new cenotaph would be used to honour war dead and service personnel twice on Anzac Day — at dawn and again mid-morning — as well as on Vietnam Veterans Day and Remembrance Day.

“The new location will also be a far more suitable place for the community to use if they wish to reflect, or to remember relatives, comrades, or mates that have passed,” he said.