Friday, September 8, 2017

WAR MEMORIAL NEGLECT CONTINUES IN TOWNSVILLE

Another classic example of how war memorials are neglected  in Townsville , an important  military garrison  town , is the  above spectacle  of  a large dead  bird up against the   Victory  Fountain , opened  in   1995  to  mark  the 50th anniversary of  Victory in the  Pacific , on  the city's  so called  Civic Pride Trail ,   at  a busy  intersection, this morning . Wind blowing at the time made the   bird's wings flutter , as if  it were  alive , weeds  nearby , not far from the Townsville Travel Centre .  
It is not known how long the Coucal  had been there,  but there were numerous ants on its  body . And in the two VP fountain chambers , as  usual , were various items of rubbish , including  a  beer can , tree branches   and  plastic wrapping which had been  sighted   weeks  previously ,  proving   the fountain  is  not   regularly  checked  and   cleared . 
 
Months ago, when  the fountain was  not working properly , possibly due to  pipe relaying   going on  in  the city , rubbish , including   cans  and plastic bags , were  photographed  in the  bottom  chamber , see  below .
The  faded  gilt lettering on the  plaques  was  restored , the water   turned on , but  there is nothing to be proud about in  the continuing    neglect of  the  feature .
 
Furthermore , the nearby  Blackwood Street bus shelter in Flinders Street, in need of a rubbish bin ,  is  sporting  an  increasing  amount of  graffiti  in  which  criminals  get  a  mention  and  somebody  has expressed  the desire to  have  intercourse  with  Donald Trump.    All round , it is not a good look  for  the city .  
The above  Ibis, also known as  Dump Ducks  because many scavenge  at council tips , make  regular use of  the  fountain water supply .