After McLean Oval was redeveloped last year, accompanied by a shiny-white picket fence with plaques celebrating past players, supporters, and volunteers, they were cruelly stripped off the fence by a vandal or vandals last week.
More than $1 million of government funding was granted to the redevelopment of McLean Oval, which was re-opened in February for the Harden Hawks 100th year anniversary along with the installation of disabled ramps and changeroom improvements.
The club installed over 170 plaques on the fence panels, with money raised from local families, businesses and individuals to pay homage to their respective loved ones past or present to show their appreciation and connection to the club.
Some of the names on the plaques are Rugby League royalty and have legendary status.
The plaques contained names and dates of the past players and the history of the Harden-Murrumburrah Rugby League Football Club over the years.
That didn’t stop a thoughtless vandal or vandals heading along to McLean Oval last week where they removed up to ten plaques before dropping them to the ground.
Pat Walsh, formerly worked for the NRL in referee development and has been based in Harden for more than 45 years. He was instrumental in the picket fence alongside Kai Steele.
Pat was disappointed by the actions of those who did the damage. He said, “I don’t know who’s doing it but there was ten off the other day. Which seems very unusual that they could all fall off all of a sudden,” Pat said.
“Someone seems to be having a bit of fun with vandalism I’d say.”
The vandalism was first found by Council staff who swiftly contacted Pat upon his discovery.
“I got a call from Kevin Hill who was mowing the lawns there,” Pat explained.
“I was there a couple of days before driving around and they were all still on the fence.
“He was mowing the lawn, then he came in and gave me a call saying that he’d just picked up ten plaques randomly scattered across the front of the grandstand.”
Fortunately, all plaques that were stripped off the fence weren’t removed from the venue or damaged, with the vandals dropping them on the ground.
Vandals stripped the plaques off the new fence. Photos: Tim Warren.
“There was no damage to the plaques – they are pretty solid,” Pat continued. “But there was just vandalism with someone tearing them off trying to be funny.
“I put them all back on the fence the next day. I was away the day they were removed, but I’ve replaced them now.”
Whilst unsure who the culprit is, Pat believed the act potentially wasn’t malicious and was undertaken by kids.
“I think it’s just vandalism from kids. They have a bit of spare time, and they must think it’s funny to be tearing and pulling them off,” he said.
“There was two or three taken off in a row, with others pulled off further down. It was just a bit of a random thing with someone going down and ripping them off.
“I’ve been going back down there to check the fence almost every day since, to make sure that they haven’t been removed again.
“It’s just a reminder for people to keep their eyes open and lookout. Be vigilant and watch out for people lurking around.”
Pat reminded the community to be aware of the damage and to speak up if they see any further destruction going forward.
“I just want people to keep an eye out on it. We obviously can’t always monitor it. It’s just disappointing to see them pulled off,” he said.
After the fantastic renovation efforts of the McLean Oval over the past 18 months, it is disappointing to see this kind of behaviour occurring.
Tim Warren
