Sadness fills the space where Sunbury’s lone pine tree stood sentinel to the town’s Anzac legends, after callous vandals intervened.
The Sunbury RSL community was left saddened and outraged after the fledgling tree was desecrated, its limbs snapped off in an attack that took place on January 22.
The pine was planted in 2014 at the Geoff Levey Memorial Garden to commemorate the Anzac centenary.
A council arborist determined that the snapping of its central trunk, with hot weather drying up moisture from the remaining parts, made it impossible to save the tree.
Club secretary Harry Beckwith said the attack on the tree was “devastating” for members.
“They [vandals] have no idea what they’ve done,” Mr Beckwith said.
“When you follow the family history of this tree back, it goes to the pine tree in the cemetery for the Anzac soldiers.
“The tree means a lot psychologically to RSL members and their families.
“We’re very saddened and enraged that this could have happened,” he said. “The stupidity involved is hard to fathom — these people have no regard for the history and sacrifice that goes with this tree.”
Sunbury RSL member Paul Levey, the son of Geoff Levey who was the memorial’s namesake, said the vandalism was particularly hard for his family.
“I’ve been a member since I was 18, when I joined the army, and my kids are members,” he said. “Sunbury has been fantastic in the respect shown to servicemen of our country, and I hope those responsible are found, so they can learn why this was wrong, and it doesn’t happen again.”
Mr Beckwith said that the incident has been reported to Sunbury police, and he appealed for anyone with information to contact police on 9744 8111.
