IN what many are calling “disgusting”, “distressing”, and “downright disrespectful”, vandals have left a Port Macquarie family heartbroken after a memorial seat honouring loved ones was damaged for a third time.
Kenn and Julie Brown had three plaques fixed to a wooden bench at the southern end of Town Beach, in memory of very dear family members.
The first plaque was mounted 22 years ago following the loss of their son Andrew to brain cancer at just 22 years of age.
The installation of the seat and plaque was approved by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council back in 2003, and paid for by the Browns.
Two years after losing Andrew, a second plaque was added to the seat following the passing of Kenn’s father from bowel and liver cancer.
Two years later, the third and final plaque was mounted in memory of Julie’s parents who were both tragically killed in a car accident near Forster-Tuncurry.
While the Brown family has been dealt a tough hand, they remain optimistic with a community-first view.
“It was a tricky few years for us as a family, but although some things in life are unfair, our attitude is [that] you just have to deal with them and live your life as best you can,” Julie told News Of The Area.
“We chose this place for our family memorial seat as it not only gives us comfort to sit there and remember our loved ones, but we thought it was a perfect place for others to sit and enjoy the wonderful view of that part of Port Macquarie.
“The seat is not just for us, it is for whoever would like to sit there.”
A few years ago, when the Council upgraded the walking path and built a viewing platform as part of the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk upgrades, they happily provided a new seat and added the plaques.
It was 20 years after the very first seat was installed that those plaques started to disappear.
The Browns have replaced them numerous times at their own expense, and with the generosity of the community.
“The first time it cost $150 to replace them and the next time, a few months ago, a very kind business in Port Macquarie made them for us at no cost.
“They also gave us another set in case something happened again.”
Which it did.
In the most recent attack, vandals not only removed the supporting back plank with the plaques attached, there is also evidence of an attempt to light a fire underneath the seat.
What makes this time particularly disturbing, however, is the handwritten message the vandals left behind.
It’s one that can only be described as a cruel taunt.
“The message – ‘You can’t stop me’ – is very sad,” Julie said.
“To think that someone behaves this way makes us more sorry for them than us.
“Our son fought so hard to stay alive and he had a brilliant future ahead of him and to think others prefer to spend their time causing distress is disturbing.”
Hurt and fed-up, Julie is calling on the community for information.
“Part of us thinks giving this person recognition is just what they are after, but we also think talking about it might make someone speak up [about] who is doing this and either stop them or let authorities know about it.”
Port Macquarie mum Rachel Rhodes’ has experienced the same hurt as Julie and Kenn.
Rachel has also had to deal with the repeated vandalism of her son Bronson’s memorial table at Flynns Beach.
She has spent over $500 on replacement plaques and is now faced with unsightly graffiti.
“I loved his beautiful smile, his great sense of humour, and his wisdom beyond his years” Rachel said of her son Bronson who, at 14-years-old, drowned at the beach while swimming with friends in 2017.
To keep his memory alive, Wauchope High School purchased the table and plaque at Flynns Beach, which was organised and approved through Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
The reason behind the table and the significance it holds for Rachel and her family, is probably bigger than the vandals realise.
“The rescue helicopter was unable to retrieve his (Bronson’s) body,” she said.
“And in Port Macquarie you need a body for a site in the cemetery, so the table was very important to us.”
Julie praises Council’s response to the ongoing vandalism, but fears it will come at a greater cost to other families wishing to honour their loved ones in the same way.
“Council has always been very helpful with any issues we have had,” she said.
“But they have informed us that incidents like this are becoming more common and they are concerned about the distress it is causing to folk.
“So, it seems moving forward that although seats may be approved to be placed in certain areas, attaching memorial plaques will not be permitted.”
Julie and Kenn are still undecided about what they will do next.
“The seat will need replacing or fixing as they have taken away the top part of it as well as taking the plaques off,” Julie said.
“Do we reattach new plaques or do we not?
“By not attaching them, the vandal is defeated as there is nothing for them to take.”
In another display of community spirit, a local carpenter has contacted Julie to offer assistance with restoring the memorial.
Meanwhile, Julie believes that the person responsible is probably boasting about it to someone else.
“If that is you, then you should report them.
“If you don’t, you are complicit in their behaviour and that is a sad indictment on our society.”
Both the Brown family and Rachel have reported the incidents to local police.
If you have any information that may assist, contact the Port Macquarie Station or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
By Rikki WALLER
