Hearts of stone

I WRITE in response to your article “Statue Draws Flak” (Pakenham Gazette, 24 July). City of Casey councillors I hope you noted the statement by Cr Morland that he put the petition signed by 946 members of the community who remain strongly opposed to the placement of a statue of Spiridon Louis in High Street Berwick forward “because of the community outrage on behalf of the residents”.
Council is really clutching at straws when it starts to split hairs over where the signatories came from. The petition was only available for signing in Berwick, it does not matter whether they live, work, shop or volunteer here, all come together to create our passionate community. Just to set the record straight most were from City of Casey (the majority Berwick including many RSL members who do not agree with their committee’s position in regard to the statue).
Numerous signatures were from our close friends just over the creek in Cardinia shire (unfortunately City of Casey Councillors don’t think much of your opinion but we do and thank you for your continued support), there was one from interstate and we are still searching for the one from overseas. When we went through this 17 months ago and council accepted a petition with 369 signatures, it agreed with the Berwick community that the Spiridon Louis statue should be placed at Edwin Flack Reserve, now it has been presented with almost three times as many and is still choosing to ignore the community it was elected to represent.
Casey Mayor, Cr Stapeldon knows council has got it wrong. We ask that the mayor take heed of her own words when it comes to memorials in the City of Casey (“Fitting Recognition” Berwick News, 18 July). “Feedback from the community has reinforced how important it is to tell the story of our community and celebrate our history and diversity” and “reflect the history of the area and celebrate notable local residents”. Spiridon Louis meets none of your criteria Mayor Stapeldon.
The mayor must recognise that the Spiridon statue should not be placed in High Street. Why else would she believe council’s action in doing so may inflame some to the point where the Spiridon statue may be vandalised? The Edwin Flack statue has been in High Street for 17 years with not so much as a mark on it.
Many believe it is an insult to the memory of Edwin Flack to move his statue at all, even a short distance up the hill. Move him if you must to make way for The Lord Casey statue but do not insult Edwin and his legacy any further by plonking a statue of an unknown Greek runner next to him. Casey Councillors take the high road, we ask once again that you keep High Street Berwick for memorials to local heroes only and place the Spiridon statue elsewhere. If you insist on continuing to ignore the constituents you purport to represent at least come clean and tell the community the real reason why.
Annette Aldersea,
President,
Residents, Ratepayers and Friends of Berwick Village Inc.