A new soldier statue was recently installed at the Taree War Memorial, more than one year after the original was desecrated by vandals.

The replacement, created by Edsteins, was funded through a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) grant and Club Taree donation.

The statue was unofficially unveiled to the wider community at last Sunday's Anzac Day services.

Sub-branch president Charlie Fisher said it was a happy occasion but they were still angered by the circumstances surrounding the need to replace the statue.

"It does make the memorial look better," Mr Fisher said.

News of the damage to the original statue garnered widespread condemnation by the community, especially on the Sub-branch's otherwise quiet Facebook page.

The replacement project isn't complete yet.

The Sub-branch has more funding from DVA and Club Taree to install a second and matching statue.

"Hopefully by the end of the year he will have a twin," Mr Fisher said of the new statue.

The existing statue will be removed and installed at Club Taree.

The original statues were installed in April 2017 and funded through grants and donations.

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