A group of beachgoers pictured using a war memorial as a windbreak has sparked fury after the image was posted online.
The group, pictured at Terrigal Beach in New South Wales, have spread towels on top of the memorial and are sitting behind planters placed alongside it.
Terrigal Wamberal RSL reacted with fury after posting the image on their Facebook page, calling the behaviour ‘disgusting’.
Terrigal Wamberal RSL posted this image online of a group using a war memorial at Terrigal Beach in New South Wales as a windbreak
The group wrote: ‘Over the past twelve months members of our Sub branch and members from neighbouring sub branches have noticed a growing trend of people disrespecting the memorial at Terrigal Beach.
‘Whether it is sitting on the planter boxes, the cenotaph or just blatantly walking through the established garden on the ocean side. This is not acceptable.
‘You wouldn’t set up a picnic on top of your grandparents grave, so why do it on the graves of our soldiers who never returned home.
”Sheltering from the wind’ is no excuse.’
Branch president Peter White told the Daily Telegraph that he had wanted to put a fence or chain around the memorial to deter people from sitting on it, but were told they could be safety hazards.
Facebook user reacted angrily after the image was posted online, with one user pointing out that the entire beach is empty in the background of the picture
Then, last year, two planters were added to provide additional protection.
‘It never occurred to us that in doing this we were providing a convenient windbreak,’ he said.
‘We ask the public, will you please understand that this memorial is dedicated to those that gave their lives in the name of our country.
‘Please recognise this and do not dishonour their memory.’
Facebook users reacted with fury after the image was posted online, with Yoyet Standen writing bluntly: ‘No brain, no feeling, no respect.’
Janice Kuz added: ‘Let’s hope they don’t find out about war first hand – it would be a real quick way to learn respect.’