AFTER a testing political week, NSW Government Minister David Elliott was far more at ease yesterday afternoon at Willawarrin with those who dealt with bullets than those who lob verbal vitriol.
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In his portfolio for Corrective Services, Mr Elliott has copped a hiding on talkback radio – where many of the inhabitants like to start their day with a dollop of outrage – following allegations of a tryst between an officer and an inmate at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre near Kempsey.
But after visiting the Aldavilla jail along with local MP Melinda Pavey, Mr Elliott – wearing his slouch as Minister for Veterans Affairs – found welcoming allies further west, announcing funding for a war memorial project.
$3000 in seed funding was seen by local RSL sub-branch representatives as a welcome investment in their plans to replicate the existing memorial at Willawarrin.
The appreciation of local residents, mayor Liz Campbell, and the camaraderie of old soldiers pervaded – as Terry Hunt OAM, from the Kempsey Macleay RSL sub-branch noted: “It’s very pleasing to have an ex-serviceman as a Minister of Veterans Affairs”.
Mr Elliott recalled how he had visited the Frank Partridge VC Military Museum at Bowraville, and ran into one of those present at Monday’s announcement, whom he had served with at Bougainville.
“But like a long lost lover he didn’t recognise me,” the Minister laughed, even though they had shared a tent on that military assignment.
Once casual formalities were underway, Mr Elliott noted this year marked the centenary of The Great War – the slaughter that was supposed to end all conflicts.
Willawarrin, he said – like many farming communities – paid a heavy price a century back, with some families losing more than one son.
After a quick recon of the old memorial, the Minister asked a schoolboy, how many times the name ‘Hudson’ appeared on the plaque of honour. The name appears thrice, as does ‘Hourigan’ – those who didn’t survive WWII.
Mr Elliott said small town war memorials served as de facto cemeteries – as back then the bodies of those lost in war could not practically be returned to Australia for burial.
So memorials could provide some comfort, he said, for example, a family wishing to lay flowers on a son’s birthday.
Mr Elliott also announced four Ministerial Commendation Awards – the first in the Oxley electorate.
These have been made to: John Supple, Alan Goulder, Peter Sergeant and Mr Hunt.
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