“Macedon Ranges council bureaucrats should hang their heads in shame” for decisions putting two local Anzac Day services in a spin, Bill Bates told the Express.
The Malmsbury Anzac Day coodinator said he was “still shell-shocked” the council had refused $2500 for traffic management funding essential to run the town’s service.
Last week, both Malmsbury and Kyneton were unsuccessful in the council’s Anzac Day Commemorative Services Support Fund.
Because both applications were auspiced by the Kyneton RSL, a gaming venue, they conflicted with the council’s Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy.
The policy came into effect in July and precludes activities in gaming venues from accessing council grants and those that receive sponsorships from gaming venues.
Mr Bates said new traffic management expenses, without a grant to assist, put Malmsbury’s service in doubt.
“We haven’t got a club or organisation in Malmsbury that I can borrow, beg, nor steal that amount of money from,” he said.
“Anzac Day is one of the most sacred days on the calendar. I seriously cannot believe MRSC bureaucracy could have stopped two towns from holding an important part of their services. It’s un-Australian on all levels.”
Kyneton RSL assists the Malmsbury event with liability insurance, securing guest speakers and printing programs, but no money has changed hands. The service is volunteer run and attracts more than 200 people each year.
Police and emergency services previously assisted with traffic management, however, a Victorian Government department change now requires all traffic plans be designed and conducted by qualified personnel. It is a cost event organisers must navigate.
Malmsbury’s plight has since been heard on radio and a Bendigo couple has offered to pay the $2500 traffic management fee to ensure the service can go ahead. Kyneton, however, was still weighing up its options at the weekend.
RSL DISAPPOINTED
Kyneton RSL president Mike Gretton said members were disappointed the council couldn’t separate gaming from the RSL’s community commemorative services.
“We think it should be considered in a different light. To say that we were disappointed with the outcome is an understatement,” he told the Express.
“Anzac Day doesn’t belong to the RSL. We simply conduct ceremonies to commemorate those who have served on behalf of the community.”
Kyneton’s dawn service attracts 400-500 people and its service about 500-700 people as well as the 100-150 people marching.
Traffic management for Kyneton is expected to cost just over $4300, in addition to the $10,000 to run the town’s traditional Anzac Day commemorations.
“It has presented us with challenges,” Mr Gretton said.
“The extreme outcome would be that if we don’t find the funding ourselves, Mollison Street can’t be closed, and we then can’t have a march in Kyneton.
“We will certainly endeavour to find the funding, but it will take funds out of what would normally be used for veteran welfare.”
PUBLIC APOLOGY
The council released a public apology and explanation on its website last Friday, inviting both Malmsbury and Kyneton applicants to the Anzac Day fund to reapply due to the policy conflicts.
“We never intended to cause any unnecessary stress through this grant process and regret that the organisers have felt this way,” the statement said.
As part of the recommendations endorsed at MRSC’s ordinary meeting last week, the council will reopen the Anzac Day Commemorative Services Support Fund grant for an additional 10 days.
MRSC’s statement said officers would continue to work with Kyneton and Malmsbury event organisers “on common-sense solutions to ensure these events can continue to go ahead in 2026”.
