Thirroul World War I memorial vandalised and rifle model stolen
The Thirroul World War I memorial, now missing the wooden rifle model from its soldier statue. (Supplied: Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch)
In short:
A model of a wooden rifle has been stolen from the Illawarra's oldest war memorial.
A local RSL president says the vandalism of the World War I memorial is "absolutely devastating".
What's next?
Wollongong Council says it will work closely with the members of Austinmer Thirroul RSL to restore the memorial.
The vandalism of a war memorial that has stood in the Wollongong suburb of Thirroul for more than 100 years has outraged the community.
A model of a wooden rifle has been stolen from the statue of a soldier, standing 5 metres above the sandstone pedestal of the World War I memorial.
The theft from Woodward Memorial Park in the northern Illawarra was discovered on Wednesday.
Austinmer Thirroul RSL President Will Lee described the loss as "absolutely devastating".
"We were walking through the memorial garden and looked up, and realised the rifle was missing," he said.
"It's hard to believe someone would target such a sacred site.
"This monument was dedicated 105 years ago to honour those who served and gave their lives, it's heartbreaking."
The original soldier statue atop Thirroul’s World War I memorial, holding a wooden rifle and wearing a slouch hat. (Supplied: Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch)
Mr Lee said he believed the theft would have required forethought.
"The statue is high off the ground, and removing the rifle without it falling would have taken careful planning," he said.
"I just don't know what people would be thinking to do something like this, it beggars belief.
"It's absolutely disrespectful to all of those who have served in our local area."
It is the second time the rifle has been targeted.
It had to be replaced five years ago after part of it was broken.
'Deeply disappointed'
Mr Lee said many RSL sub-branch members have contacted him offering to help.
The theft has been reported to NSW Police and the Wollongong City Council, which has also condemned the incident.
In a statement, a spokesperson said the council was "deeply disappointed by the vandalism of the statue".
"This act is not representative of our community's values," they said.
"We have deep respect for those who have represented and served this country in all wars and conflicts … we will work closely with the RSL on restoring the memorial."
The council says it will work closely with Austinmer Thirroul RSL's members to restore the memorial.
Fundraising during war
Fundraising for the memorial started in 1916, and its foundation stone was laid on October 18, 1919 by Mrs Arnold Higgins.
The official unveiling was performed by Mrs "Grannie" Riach on Anzac Day a year later, making it the region's oldest war memorial.
Austinmer Thirroul RSL President Will Lee said it was 'absolutely devastating' and a sign of disrespect. (ABC Illwarra: Rory MacDonald)
A sandstone pedestal supports the 5-metre-high statue of a soldier wearing a slouch hat, with eight marble tablets listing local men who served in World War I.
In August, the Minns government introduced tougher penalties for damaging war memorials.
An aggravated property damage offence under the Crimes Legislation Amendment (War Memorial Offences) Bill 2025 increased the maximum penalty from five to seven years' imprisonment for intentionally or recklessly damaging a war memorial.