BALLARAT RSL has called for the return of two white crosses taken after an Anzac Day service at the Sturt Street cenotaph.
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Branch secretary Maurie Keating said the crosses and three name tags were taken following the centenary service on April 25.
Each of the 1800 white crosses placed at the cenotaph commemorates a Ballarat resident who served in defence of their country.
Ballarat RSL white cross co-ordinators Greg and Mick Jones placed each cross on the Sturt Street median strip on the Wednesday before the Anzac Day service.
But when the RSL volunteers returned to the site on the Monday morning, two of the crosses had been taken.
“It’s very sad that if we don’t get them back, that soldier will not be commemorated,” Mr Keating said. “We can’t keep replacing them.”
Mr Keating said the City of Ballarat had deployed a security officer to patrol the area between 9pm and 6am each day the crosses were on display.
The RSL takes a one-off $20 payment from families to construct and maintain the crosses. Greg Jones said two other white crosses had been vandalised at previous Anzac Day services.
“People have to realise it is still the property of the RSL,” he said.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into putting out the crosses.”
Mr Jones said he hoped the crosses would be returned.
“We would appreciate it if they brought them back to the RSL,” he said. “If nobody is there, they can leave them at the front door.”
Ballarat RSL is at 27 Lydiard Street North in Ballarat.
kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au
