The State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to protect the graves and memorials of Victoria Cross (VC) recipients commemorated in Western Australian cemeteries.
The agreements will ensure the future preservation of VC graves and memorials while safeguarding the rights of the families to honour their loved ones as they wish.
Local Government Minister David Templeman signed the MOU with the Shire of Esperance in the presence of the family members of the late Tom Starcevich VC, who was commemorated at the Esperance Lawn Cemetery in 1989.
Tom was awarded the VC during the Borneo campaign of the Second World War for single-handedly capturing four Japanese machine gun positions on June 28, 1945. Complete disregard for his own safety played a significant part in the success of his decisive action.
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour to members of the Australian Defence Force.
It is awarded to a person who, in the presence of the enemy, displays the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty.
Mr Templeman has already signed a similar Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board to protect the graves and memorials of the remainder of WA’s VC recipients – commemorated at the Karrakatta and Fremantle cemeteries.
Image: Victoria Cross medal (left). Credit: Nick-D [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons