Port Arthur 20th Anniversary - Real Mum story on MoM

8 Comments

So…..we just had the 20th anniversary memorial for the Port Arthur massacre yesterday. I have to ask why? Having all this attention thrust upon us every year, times by 100 for this anniversary, doesn’t help the recovery. It gives him a thrill knowing we’re still talking about the carnage he caused. All those affected will not forget. There’s a memorial pool, the shell of the cafe still stands, there’s a cross with all the victims names. These are accessible to everyone, all year round, anyone can go and sit and remember. We don’t need the focus of Australia to remember. I get there’s possibly a political agenda to the memorial, it was said after the 10th anniversary memorial, there would never be another. However, some want to loosen the gun laws, hence we need a national reminder of why they are so restricted. But it makes it hard. Every year the conspiracy theorists crawl out of their holes, claiming he was set up, the government planned the whole thing. It becomes a nightmare. I think the numbers at yesterday’s memorial say how relevant it is to most people, only approx 200 turned up. We don’t need the attention, we don’t to be reminded, those of us that we’re there will never ever forget

Posted anonymously, 29th April 2016

8 Comments

- - BellaB said
  - 30 Apr 2016
    9:50 pm
Many people do feel it’s important that their lost ones are publicly remembered. It’s hard to meet everyone’s needs.

- - mum4107 said
  - 30 Apr 2016
    9:44 pm
I saw very little about the anniversary yesterday, it took me by surprise.
I can understand why you feel like you do and my heart goes out to you

- - mamavon said
  - 29 Apr 2016
    11:05 pm
I think it is proper that we honour the memory of the slain on this anniversary. The whole exercise and focus is about rememberance of the perished. It is much like anzac day – lest we forget.
- mom93821 replied
  
  30 Apr 2016 , 1:21 pm
  I agree with your comment about remembering and honouring those that lost their lives.
  - cherz replied
    
    30 Apr 2016 , 11:43 pm
    
    Very well said mamavon.
    Lest we forget.
- - mom56312 said
  - 29 Apr 2016
    9:29 pm
Its such a sad memory for all australians, there is no way we need to change our laws the last thing we want to do is become like america where every person has the right to carry arms and kill people due to the belief we need to protect our families… or if its a intuder… we read so many articles where kids end up killing/siblings or family members due to the family not locking the guns away/ I hate we seem to be a nanny state in regards to this but these out comes breaks my heart and we do not need to go in that diection at all….

- - mom81879 said
  - 29 Apr 2016
    6:32 pm
I have no problem with memorials, and I realise the importance of the upkeep of the gun laws, but is it necessary to go so over the top? Umpteen politicians and their partners, board members, singers, survivors and victims family members looking really uncomfortable. I think it’s time to quieter it down, let the individuals remember in their own personal ways. Poor old Walter Mikac, lost his wife and 2 small daughters, feels like he can’t return to Port Arthur to reflect and remember because of all the over the top attention. Now that’s sad.

- - mom165081 said
  - 29 Apr 2016
    2:57 pm
Sometimes its important to remember and be reminded why certain laws exist. Memorial services such as this one are, I believe, important and relevant. Whilst I understand your view point, I think the memorial was relevant. I have been there and I have seen the locations your refer to – they are also important and relevant.