Proof that Townsville still can't get its act together in respect of looking after war memorials in the city has surfaced . In a combined naval operation , this blog invoked the name of Admiral Harry Harris , the new US ambassador to Australia, to finally get the authorities to clean up the Victory in the Pacific memorial fountain , the graffiti covered nearby bus shelter, and the rusting , graffiti attacked giant anchor off the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, a gift from America .
However, last week , it was back to the normal abnormal situation in the garrison city when it comes to caring for war memorials . Last Thursday to be exact , the Victory in the Pacific fountain had broken glass , above , and rubbish at the back of the structure , assorted take away food containers and plastic eating utensils were in the twin pools ; a hard to identify sheath like object , which could have been a birth control device , was bobbing about erotically . The fountain also appeared to be leaking .
The situation was uniquely summed up just across the road at the Great Northern Hotel , which has not operated since an arson attack , displaying the above banner for the Little Shop of Horrors show , which had ended its run nearly six months ago . On the other hand , there could have been an extended season due to popular demand .
On the same day , at the North Queensland Garden of Remembrance, the above plaque headed Townsville during the Second World War , detailing involvement with our American allies , was extremely difficult to read , badly in need of attention. The lettering at the nearby large memorial to the Coral Sea Battle also requires touching up and Anzac Day is almost upon us .
