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Community divided over Redfern Park war relic
“It looks really aggressive and it points at people entering the park,” said Gerald Ganglbauer, former resident of Redfern.
According to Mr Ganglbauer, the 40mm Bofors gun was used during Wold War Two.
During Redfern Park's $20 million upgrade, a development application was passed by Council to retain the gun.
The upgrade which will make Redfern Park more ‘green’, is due for completion next month and the restoration of war memorials, including the gun and a World War One granite column have already been completed.
Mr Ganglbauer said the gun was not just an issue for those who use the park, but for the wider Redfern community. He also suggested the artefact be relocated to a war museum.
“I’m a pacifist, you see. What am I going to do with a gun at [the park]?” he added.
However, the honorary secretary of the Redfern RSL, Aub Silcock, said the gun is an important piece of Australian wartime history.
“There’s a strong rumour it was up in New Guinea during the bad days of ’'43, ’'44,” Mr Silcock added.
He also dismissed the idea of moving the gun to a war museum.
“You tell me one museum which will take the gun,” Mr Silcock said.
And after many months of campaigning, he believes the Council’s decision will finally put an end to the matter.
“I think it’s now there for good because the Council would not have spent that much of money only for it to be removed again,” Mr Silcock added.
“If they’re still complaining about it, then it’s bad luck.”
