Victoria RSL remove war statue after Nazi symbol vandalism

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A Victorian RSL has blasted vandals who vandalised a statue of a World War I soldier with a swastika.

The memorial was located outside the Rosebud branch in the Mornington Peninsula but has since been moved.

"What you did was callous, gutless and I don't know how you sleep," general manager George Csifo said.

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A Victorian RSL has slammed vandals who graffitied a swastika on its beloved statue of a World War I soldier. The memorial was located outside the Rosebud branch in the Mornington Peninsula but it had to be moved.

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The statue was carved by a chainsaw out of a tree stump on the sub-branch's nature strip in August to honour those who served in World War I.

It cost $10,000 of hard-fought grant money and was meant to be a public display of gratitude.

"I went to the committee and they agreed that we relocate him to a safer spot where people can enjoy him without having to worry about him being vandalised again," Csifo said.

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Rosebud RSL president Bruce Turner said he is pleased the statue has now been moved.

President Bruce Turner watches over the statue everyday and found the swastika the morning after Remembrance Day.

"The mentality of some individuals leaves a lot to be desired," Turner said.

Vandalised memorials have been in the spotlight across Melbourne in the past fortnight after St Kilda's Captain Cook was lopped at the ankles.

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A Victorian RSL has slammed vandals who smeared a swastika on its beloved statue of a World War I soldier.The memorial was located outside the Rosebud branch in the Mornington Peninsula but it had to be moved.
"What you did was callous, gutless and I don't know how you sleep," general manager George Csifo said.

The statue is now situated beside the cenotaph and in the grounds where Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies are held.

"Very pleased with it being in the grounds, like he's come home," Turner said.

However RSL management is not taking any chances.

"We had a guy out, our CCTV people out just the other day, and we're gonna put a camera on him as well,"  Csifo said.