General News
8 January, 2024
Residents, groups and government frustrated over "gut-wrenching" abuse of local landmark
Just weeks after it was officially reopened Maryborough’s iconic Bristol Hill Tower has again been vandalised, with a gate designed specifically to deter the behaviour stolen. The gate was installed at the entrance to the upper platform of the...
Just weeks after it was officially reopened Maryborough’s iconic Bristol Hill Tower has again been vandalised, with a gate designed specifically to deter the behaviour stolen.
The gate was installed at the entrance to the upper platform of the tower and was meant to be open during the day and locked at night to deter vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
It was part of a raft of improvements made to the landmark as part of a more than $100,000 restoration project undertaken last year.
The gate itself was donated and installed by local builder Daryl Maffescioni, who also oversaw the restoration project, and he described its theft as disappointing for the community.
“It’s very disappointing, I don’t really know where you go from here,” he said.
“The point of the gate being there was to stop this sort of behaviour. If we put another gate in, I’m not sure if it’s going to be taken again or what will happen.
“We know it was taken at some stage on January 1, New Year’s Day.
“The ideal solution would be to have security cameras installed at the tower but that won’t happen until someone takes ownership of it and those discussions are still happening.”
Restoration works at the tower saw the structure re-rendered and painted, with new rails and mesh fencing installed as well as works undertaken on the stairs, honour stones and plaques which are now legible.
While the project was underway, the Friends of Bristol Hill Tower community group was formed following a groundswell of support to see the tower restored and continue to hold working bees to maintain the tower’s surrounds.
An alliance of residents and various community groups came together to form the group and to see the tower vandalised, particularly following the recent restoration works and community effort, is “gut-wrenching” according to member Anthony Ohlsen.
“The gate was basically donated by a community member and to have it stolen is unbelievable,” he said.
“It was there to help stop vandalism and what’s happened? It’s been vandalised.
“It’s gut-wrenching when you think about it, especially given all the effort put in by community members, volunteers and local trades.”
The 15-metre tall structure was built in 1933 during the Great Depression to immortalise Maryborough’s founders and pioneers, with the tower offering a unique panoramic view over Maryborough and surrounds.
The most recent incident of vandalism at the tower continues a trend of mistreatment at the landmark, which following vandalism in 2021 was closed to the public due to safety concerns.
Past instances of vandalism have seen the external walls of the tower covered in graffiti as well as the inside stairwell, which has also been filled with rubbish.
Residents have also previously expressed their concerns over a reportedly noticeable smell of urine inside the tower.
Mr Ohlsen described the tower as a “focal point” for the community and one that needs to be looked after for the many locals and visitors who frequent it.
“The Friends of Bristol Hill Tower’s aim was to make the tower and surrounding bushland a welcoming and attractive place like it was 30 years ago,” he said.
“We took it upon ourselves to cut the grass, pull weeds and generally take care of this precinct.
“Our ultimate goal is to get the tower back to how it used to be and to make a picture of it for the community, it’s a focal point for the town.
“We as a community should know why the tower was built and what it stands for, and what it continues to do for the town.”
The recent vandalism has been condemned by many in the community including Central Goldfields Shire councillor Grace La Vella who said a Neighbourhood Watch committee is something that should be considered for that area.
“This act is absolutely deplorable,” she said.
“It is regrettable that once again our town’s iconic tower has been vandalised and mistreated.
“I would like to see a Neighbourhood Watch committee formed as part of the larger project to restore and maintain the Bristol Hill precinct moving forward.”
The Midlands Historical Society’s Barb Nielsen said it’s sad to see the tower, which commemorates much of Maryborough’s history, again mistreated.
“The tower has become a symbol of so much of Maryborough’s history,” she said.
“While the original aim was to commemorate the town’s pioneer settlers, the project now represents many other individuals, groups and eras on which the town’s heritage is built including gold mining, the Unemployed Relief Committee’s work to provide labour and materials to construct the memorial during the 1930’s depression, and the WWII Volunteer Air Observers’ Corps whose task was to watch for enemy aircraft and assist pilots who strayed off course.
“The tower also overlooks Maryborough’s original cemetery in which many early settlers, including children, are buried.
“It’s sad that the most recent damage occurred in the year that marks the tower’s 90th anniversary.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, who largely funded the restoration project, said the vandalism was particularly disappointing.
“It’s very disappointing to see wilful damage to the tower which is significant to the local community,” they said.
“We understand the Maryborough community is upset and frustrated, particularly considering the restoration of the tower had only recently been completed and the site reopened to the public.”
The incident has been reported to police and in the meantime, Mr Maffescioni is offering a reward for the gate’s return — with anyone with information on its whereabouts encouraged to contact him on 0428 590 676.
