A monument honouring Australia’ first powered flight by American escapist and magician Harry Houdini has been destroyed for the second time this year.
The historic plaque was first established in Diggers Rest with help from the local Lions Club in 1990, at the site where Houdini took to the skies 80 years prior in 1910.
Local resident Barbara Ford first discovered the destroyed monument on Sunday 9 November, explaining it’s the second time in about eight months the monument has been damaged or destroyed.
“I live across from the site of the monument. There were some car tyre burn out marks on the road,” Mrs Ford said.
“It’s disappointing that there’s people in the community that might get enjoyment out of vandalising things others have respect for.”
Melton Lions Club member and former president Greg James said he was devastated to see the monument destroyed.
“I was there when it was first put there – it took a lot of effort from the Lions Club,” he said.
“It’s a valuable monument for the aviation industry and for Australia. To see it destroyed I was devastated, absolutely devastated.”
Melton council had the monument rebuilt on 5 March after hearing of the first destruction.
“The Houdini Monument has now been rebuilt using the original design plans, these were kindly provided by the Melton Historical Society which have been instrumental in ensuring an accurate restoration,” council wrote to Mrs Ford.
“Additionally, we were able to locate and reinstall one of the original plaques.”
Residents believe the most damage is the cause of vandals, while tyre marks on the road lead others, like Hilltop Ward councillor John Verdon, to believe the damage has been caused as a result of hooning.
“The monument was sadly reduced to rubble in an almost identical fashion to the previous incident,” Cr Verdon explained.
“The neighbourhood watch group has reported incidents of hooning in the area…I will be asking council to investigate what additional measures can be considered to protect this important part of Diggers Rest history.”
Greg James said locals want the monument restored.
“We want it back. The local residents and Lions club members are disappointed that it’s like this.”
