Liam McNally
Rose Carers of Maddingley Park volunteers are “disappointed” by consistent vandalism being done to the park’s 117 year old rotunda.
The heritage George Dickie Pavilion and rotunda was donated to Maddingley Park by the family of Councillor George Dickies J.P, Chairman of the Board of Park Trustees, in 1906.
Over the past year the state of the rotunda has been declining due to vandalism, according to the Rose Carers of Maddingley Park, a volunteer group which oversees two commemorative gardens in the park.
Following a fire lit at the rotunda last year, which scorched the floor, there has been increasing damage done in the last six months, resulting in broken slats, seats and fret work.
Rose Carers of Maddingley Park organiser Elaine Greenhall said on Wednesday May 10 the group arrived to find the hand rails on the rotunda staircase were both completely broken.
“Just about every time we go up there’s a bit more damage done to it… It’s sheer vandalism” she said.
“It’s very disappointing that some members of the community show no respect for the rotunda and it’s one of the heritage monuments in the garden.
“We just hope it gets fixed very quickly.The more it gets damaged the more it’s going to attract damage.”
Moorabool council chief executive Derek Madden said council has received several reports of damage to the rotunda and have “carried out works each time to rectify the situation and make the rotunda safe”.
“In addition, we will be undertaking a number of repairs on the rotunda in the coming months, as recommended in the draft Maddingley Park Master Plan,” he said.
“It’s incredibly disappointing this has happened several times. The George Dickie Pavilion and rotunda is of heritage significance and it’s frustrating there are members of the community who do not appreciate this.
“We encourage any community members who witness acts of vandalism to report it to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 00.”
