Our Community Our Space

We are reaching out to you as fellow residents of Nillumbik and members of our valuable community.

We are a group of local parents, community members and users of the Eltham War Memorial Precinct who are very concerned about the RSL’s plans to redevelop the site, located on Main Rd in Eltham.

Eltham Pre School, Maternal and Child Health, Youth Services, The Senior Citizens, Mother’s Groups, Food Share and teacher’s resource library are all located on the War Memorial site.

The precinct was set-up by the Women’s Auxiliary in the 1940’s and then managed by the Eltham War Memorial Trust, with the intent that it would act as a living memorial to those who fought in the war, offering services to the mothers, children and families of Eltham.

Notice from the 1945 public meeting

“Those who have had a member of their family in the fighting services will want to see that the form of memorial we are concerned with is one which will be a constant reminder to us of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died”.

The War Memorial Site is owned by the Nillumbik Shire and is a hub for many families, new parents, young people, senior citizens and children within our community. The Eltham Cenotaph was relocated to the front of this site in 2012 by the RSL. Prior to this, the RSL had no history or relationship with the site.

After working with the RSL and council for several months to develop plans that would suit all users of the site and the broader community (plan 1) the RSL has chosen to submit new last minute plans to council for approval (plan 2).

These new plans will go before council again on the 14th of October and we are asking for your support.

We have serious concerns about the safety, accessibility and impact on the historical significance of the latest plans submitted by the RSL. We feel that we have a duty of care to raise these issues for debate and consideration on behalf of the users of the Eltham War Memorial Site and our wider community.

We support the development of creating a memorial terrace which is available to all members of the community to commemorate Anzac and Remembrance Days. We ask that consultation be entered into to ensure that the final design is suitable, accessible and safe for all users of the site, as well as in keeping with the original philosophy and intent of the site which was that it be a living memorial.

We call upon the council to direct the RSL to abandon Plan 2 and return to negotiations with the community and stakeholders in relation to Plan 1.

Please help us by signing our petition

And…… see below for more that you can do.

What else can you do?

Please look at the two plans below (on the next page),

Plan 1 - upgrades the access and creates an area that integrates with the Pre School and Maternal and Child Health/Mothers Group/Youth Services/Food Share/DEKTA Recourse Library buildings and other users of the site, including people of all ages and abilities accessing the range of services located on this site.

Plan 2 – does not upgrade access/pathways to the site and creates a corner filled with concrete not safe or suitable for children and families.

Contact our local councillors today, these people will vote at the next council meeting.
They need to know the community is concerned about this proposal, their decision will be influenced by what we the users and the community of Nillumbik say.

Cr Michael Young – Mayor michael.young@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cr Bronnie Hattam – Deputy Mayor bronnie.hattam@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cr Meralyn Klein – Councillor meralyn.klein@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cr Anika Van Hulsen – Councillor anika.vanhulsen@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cr Peter Perkins – Councillor peter.perkins@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cr Ken King – Councillor ken.king@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cr Helen Coleman – Ward Councillor helen.coleman@nillumbik.vic.gov.au