THE lone soldier statue at the front of the Taree War Memorial at Fotheringham Park has been joined with his mate for the first time since one of the original statues was vandalised in February 2020.
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The damaged statue was replaced on April 28, 2021 through funding from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) grant and Club Taree donation, however the second original statue, which was smaller than its replacement, also needed to be removed but wasn't included in the funding.
The Taree RSL Sub-branch had applied twice for more funding to install the second and matching statue, but its application was rejected on both occasions, so the statue was paid for by the sub-branch and Club Taree, and was installed on Tuesday morning, November 30.
Taree's RSL Sub-branch president Charlie Fisher says it is great to finally see the two statues finally reunited.
"It's back in and it looks good. It is a good replacement and we are very happy," Mr Fisher said.
"After everything with the vandalism, we want the public to know that we are still here working for the veterans."
The original statues were installed by Edsteins Taree in April 2017 and funded through grants and donations, at a cost of $35,600.
If Edsteins Taree can repair the replacement statue that was removed earlier this year, the RSL will donate it to Club Taree, Mr Fisher said.
The RSL hoped the statue to be ready for Remembrance Day, but they are still happy it is up, he said.
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