The memorial to a Windsor resident killed in action in Afghanistan has been vandalised, prompting an RSL Sub-branch to urge anyone with information to speak to police.
Private Luke Worsley, who was born in Windsor, was killed while serving in Afghanistan in November 2007, aged just 26 years old.
A memorial featuring his picture was established in Howe Park in 2011, a short distance from where his family were living at the time.
However, the picture has now been badly damaged, an act that has infuriated members of the Windsor RSL Sub-Branch.
"What words do you say? It's a very low act," sub-branch secretary Leon Walker told the Gazette."Why anybody would go to that length and scratch over that [picture] is beyond me.
"They probably don't even know who Luke was.
"We place great importance on memorials, and this is a very important one being a local fellow that lost his life.
"That's why we want something done.
"It's a desecration."
We place great importance on memorials, and this is a very important one being a local fellow that lost his life.
- Leon Walker
The damage has been reported to Hawkesbury City Council, and parks and recreation manager Sean Perry described the vandalism as "disappointing".
Council has already moved to install a new sign, he said.
"While the exact date that the vandalism occurred is not known, the damage was reported to council approximately two weeks ago and staff subsequently inspected the damage," he said in a statement. "Council is disappointed that the sign has been vandalised.
"The commemorative plaque was installed for the naming ceremony of the pedestrian/cycleway bridge in Howe Park.
"Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of signs and plaques that are installed by council on council land.
"Council has sourced the original artwork and placed an order for a new sign using the original artwork.
"It is estimated that it will take approximately one month for the sign to be replaced."
Mr Walker is urging anyone with information about the attack, or who may have witnessed the act, to contact Hawkesbury police.
Officers can be contacted at Windsor police station on 4587-4099.
