NSW: War memorial vandal suffers from gap in education: RSL

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-1999
NSW: War memorial vandal suffers from gap in education: RSL

The RSL has blamed a gap in education for a young vandal who caused $20,000 worth of damage
to the Hyde Park War Memorial overnight.

RSL New South Wales president RUSTY PRIEST says he suspects ego and a desire for notoriety
drove the vandal to scrawl tags on the memorial.

Mr PRIEST says the vandalism vividly demonstrates the youth doesn't understand the meaning
of the Anzac memorial.

And he blamed parents or teachers for a lack of education saying the youth was obviously
not aware of the military in all wars and conflicts.

He says he's outraged by the vandalism but rejected suggestions a fence should be put
around the memorial, instead opting for around-the-clock security.





A 16-year-old boy was arrested for the vandalism after police allegedly spotted him at the
memorial at 12.50am (AEDT).

He was given a court attendance notice to appear in Bidura Children's Court on March 2.

AAP RTV shm/tsm/nd/jn

KEYWORD: GRAFFITI RSL (SYDNEY)

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