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Security around the Nowra War Cemetery will be increased after this week’s vandals’ attack in which swastikas were drawn on nine of the 35 graves.
A local security firm has offered to provide extra security to the cemetery while Kiama MP Gareth Ward and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock have called for CCTV cameras to be installed in the area.
The story of the vandalism to the World War II veterans’ graves which broke on the South Coast Register’s website on Tuesday afternoon certainly hit a nerve in the local community and caused outrage among veterans’ organisations.
Coverage of the vandalism has been reported by almost all the major news services.
The vandalism also struck home with company Spotless, which provides maintenance at local navy bases HMAS Albatross and Creswell, with a crew of workers turning up early Wednesday to clean up the graffiti.
“When our boss heard about it he sent us out to clean up the damage done by the vandals,” said Spotless employee Adam Bull.
“It is an absolute disgrace,” he said.
“As well as the graffiti, the front gate was ripped off its hinges.
“Nine graves were damaged by the vandals.”
He said it was a big job to clean off the graffiti and at the same time be careful not to damage the headstones.
“There is a lot of work involved,” he said.
“A lot of elbow grease but thankfully the graffiti is coming off.”
By lunchtime all evidence of the damage had been removed.
Nowra RSL Sub-Branch secretary Rick Meehan said the response to the damage at the cemetery had been “overwhelming”.
“The public response has been absolutely fantastic. In supporting what these war graves mean to the community.
“The desecration of the graves was disgusting.
“Spotless cleaning gave up their time to come and clean the headstones, a local firm, Opstar Security, have offered to undertake nightly patrols of the area to keep up the security.
“I have been inundated with calls and messages on Facebook about how bad it was and what it means to the community and it was a sad indictment on the Shoalhaven itself.”
Mr Ward described the vandals as “mongrels”.
“That’s all they are and there is no other way of describing them,” he said.
“They [the vandals] should be made to clean up their mess or made to clean up other graffiti in the area. And the Graffiti Act allows that to happen.
“The mongrels need to be taught a lesson. They are just grubs.
“The families of deceased veterans should not have to put up with the stupidity of people who clearly have no regard for our local service men and women who were killed during World War II, fighting for the freedoms that we all enjoy today.”
Mr Ward said there had been issues at the Nowra cemetery previously which led to the area being locked at night.
“Locked gates only keep out honest people,” he said.
“We want CCTV cameras installed in the area and those responsible having to clean up their mess.
“The Graffiti Act act allows for it. It is exactly the medicine these mongrels require.”
Nowra police are investigating the vandalism which is believed to have happened sometime between 11.30am Tuesday, August 23 and 12.30pm Tuesday, August 30.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Nowra Police on 4421 9699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.