Hobart Cenotaph Sacred Site Must be Protected

MEDIA RELEASE

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the Hobart Cenotaph is a sacred site for Defence veterans, their families and for all Tasmanians and its heritage values, cultural and spiritual significance must be respected and protected for all time. 

The RSL says the Hobart Cenotaph is the nation’s oldest State capital city War Memorial, and the National League supports the introduction of Tasmanian legislation similar to that applying in other States to protect its sanctity and heritage.  

The nation’s largest ex-service organisation has reiterated concerns expressed by RSL Tasmania and believes the impact of the proposed AFL Stadium 1.0 is contrary to the proper protection of the Cenotaph’s values. 

The RSL is fully and strongly supportive of Tasmania having teams in the national AFL men’s and women’s competitions, but this should not and cannot impact the sacred values of the Cenotaph.  

RSL Australia Deputy President Duncan Anderson said the Hobart Cenotaph has historical, cultural and spiritual significance to Tasmanians, and the sacred site must be protected. 

“The Cenotaph is Tasmania’s main war memorial and has been the site of commemoration services since 1919. Next year, it will celebrate the centenary of its completion in 1925,” Duncan Anderson said. 

“It is a prominent Hobart landmark commanding important sightlines across Hobart and is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. 

“Undoubtedly, it is of great historic heritage significance, marking the service and sacrifice of Tasmanians in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world over more than a century. 

“It was purposely sited to command important sightlines across the city and down the Derwent River and many of these would be destroyed and the Cenotaph dwarfed by Stadium 1.0.” 

Duncan Anderson said the heritage of the site dated back to Tasmania’s earliest colonial times. It was the location of the Queen’s Battery constructed in the early to mid-1800s for Hobart’s protection, and a first Anzac Day service was held there in 1916, just one year after the Gallipoli landings. 

“As custodians of this sacred site, RSL Australia and its State Branch cannot stand by and allow the Cenotaph to be impacted in this way,” he said. 

“RSL Australia encourages the Government to consult with RSL Tasmania and stands ready to work with the Parliament to develop appropriate legislation to protect Tasmania’s sacred monument to our war veterans and service personnel.”