A large fluorescent blue stain on the iconic Nowra War Memorial statue is not the work of vandals according to Nowra RSL Sub-Branch president Fred Dawson.
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The stain has appeared on one of the nine foot high statue’s legs and contrary to claims on Facebook it has not fallen victim to a vandal attack like the Nowra War Cemetery, but was a naturally occurring process.
Nine of the 35 marble headstones at the cemetery were recently graffitied with swastikas, while an anti-semitic message and more swastikas were also left on a gate pillar.
Mr Dawson said the stain was a natural occurring process called verdigris.
“It often happens with bronze, brass and copper items,” he said.
“This is definitely not vandalism. I think after what happened at the war cemetery perhaps people are a little more sensitive at the moment. ”
Bronze and brass can turn green due chemical reactions between the copper in those alloys and the atmosphere.
The green is most often copper carbonate and can also be referred to as patina.
Mr Dawson said while the staining was unsightly, it was not a major problem but it was the worst he had seen on the memorial.
“There is a considerable amount of the verdigris all over the statute but it is at its worst on the lower part of the right leg,” he said.
“We will bring it to Shoalhaven City Council’s attention and hopefully it can be cleaned.”
He said the last time the statue was professionally cleaned was 2011.
“We will also be asking that the marble Boer War Memorial in Rauch Park also be given a clean,” Mr Dawson said.
“Some of the marble is turning black due to the exposure to petrol and diesel fumes.
“It would be great to get both memorials cleaned.”
This Nowra War Memorial is seven metres tall, carved from sandstone and set between the wrought iron gates at the entrance to Nowra Showground.
Cyril Blacket won a competition to design the memorial to commemorate World War I. The impressive structure, resembling a castle with its parapets and towers, was officially opened by Admiral Evans on January 22, 1931.
The imposing, and controversial nine foot tall memorial bronze statue, designed by Otto Steen, depicts a soldier with no helmet or rifle on the alert to safeguard the future in a memorial fountain.
It was unveiled on March 23, 1968 by then NSW Governor Sir Roden Cutler to commemorate World War II and subsequent conflicts.
This Soldiers Gate Memorial is the focus for Nowra Anzac ceremonies.