When a reader contacted Big Rigs last week to share her concerns about the sorry state of the Truck Drivers’ Memorial Wall in Grafton, NSW, it really struck a chord.
Hayley Kay told Big Rigs that the name of her late brother – an experienced road train operator, who passed away in 2020 – was added to the wall last year. But due to numerous issues at the site, her family is now too scared to visit the Memorial Wall.
And she’s not alone. Our story was posted on the Big Rigs Facebook page on Friday, which was shared 118 times.
The images Hayley sent us painted a picture of just how bad things had become at the memorial, which was built to pay tribute to truckies who have lost their lives.
Readers shared their disgust and sadness, with many even offering to help with the clean-up.
The Truck Drivers’ Memorial Wall in Grafton is on land managed by the Clarence Valley Council. Hayley contacted the council last month to voice her concerns.
In a letter to council, she said, “Justin’s children recently tried to go to the wall and were too frightened to approach it.”
On Facebook, Sue Pearce shared a similar experience. On Friday, June 13, she wrote, “Tomorrow is 15 years since my kids lost their dad. I always leave him some flowers on his anniversary and his birthday. When I was last there in September the area around the memorial wall was horrendous and it wasn’t a calm space to sit and reflect and I didn’t feel safe there. Sadly this year will be the first time that I haven’t left him some flowers.”
Zanda Roberson added, “Very sad. I was in Grafton on the long weekend just gone. My Dad is at the memorial wall. I used to visit but not now it’s not safe. It was beautiful, now it’s disgusting. Grafton’s council needs to clean it up. Have some respect for all the truckies that have lost their lives doing a job they love and keeping the country moving.”
While Brian Little wrote, “I live in Grafton and have friends on the wall and local council don’t give a shit. I would like to put my father on the wall but the way the area is, I wouldn’t bother. It annoys me every day I drive past there, it’s a disgrace.”
According to truck driver Terry Lamb, the area around the Memorial Wall is no better. “I pulled up opposite it early one morning about 12 months back to fix a loose trailer light plug and within minutes they were all over wandering round my truck. I was up in it and gone in a flash, still with no trailer lights!”
Big Rigs also contacted the Clarence Valley Council for comment and received the following response.
“Clarence Valley Council as the land manager of the site, is committed to working closely with lead government agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs) to find a resolution that is both effective and sensitive to the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in the area,” a council spokesperson said.
“Since homelessness falls under the jurisdiction of the NSW Government, Council is required to follow the Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places when engaging with people who are experiencing homelessness.
“Our Rangers conduct regular patrols and collaborate with relevant welfare agencies to connect individuals with housing and other support services. They also patrol the area, tagging any unoccupied property for removal by our Open Spaces team.”
According to the council spokesperson, a combination of factors are making it challenging to keep the area in good condition.
“Recent rainfall has made the park too wet for equipment to be used for mowing, and unfortunately, the same weather conditions have prevented the garbage truck from accessing the area for rubbish collection. Council is unable to remove private property unless it has been tagged by our Rangers as abandoned.”
The spokesperson continued, “Council staff will liaise with relevant agencies and NGOs to ensure the occupants are aware that the Park has significant importance to families and friends of truck drivers who have died, and the memorial is visited periodically, and the campers need to conduct their activities and maintain their camps in a tidy manner.
“Council extends its heartfelt sympathy to the families of the truck drivers remembered at the site. If anyone feels unsafe while visiting the area, we encourage you to contact the police immediately for your safety.”
this shows the lack of calibre of the people today. the food they eat is deliverred by truck, the clothes they wear are deleverred by truck, everything in life is handled by a truck driver and truck. I am disappointed with the Grafton Council, advertising the jakaranda city, I think not. blame the rain, what a crock of shit. it is no troubleto locate a skip bin close by then the staff could at least clean the rubbish away and a whipper snipper cuts grass and weed. all I can say is useless people, useless representatives of the people, no people pride left any more.
This is typical of the mentality of a lot of people with overseas backpackers amongst the worst. They carry the stuff in, why can’t they take the waste out with them until they see a bin? Too bl***y ignorant & lazy!
National Parks, memorials all get the same treatment! At least some locations are having cameras fitted & some dumpers have received heavy fines.
Let’s hope this council, etc get their act together & show some respect!!