HOME
|
Melbourne Lord Mayor Peter Costigan has condemned the actions
of gay rights activists who damaged Melbourne's famous floral clock in an attempt to draw attention to the world wide AIDS crisis. Cr Costigan, said the City of Melbourne supported the cause of the group, but their actions "in inflicting so much damage to this beautiful and popular feature are to be condemned". The clock, located in the Queen Victoria Gardens by St Kilda Road, was vandalised by QUEER (Queens United to Eradicate Economic Rationalism). The group caused an estimated A$10,000 worth of damage to the 34-year-old clock, bending its arms, trampling on seedlings and planting white crosses on it. "It seems the floral display will have to be completely replaced and surrounding planting restored and supplemented," said Cr Costigan. "No matter how worthy the cause that sort of senseless vandalism does nothing to advance the cause." Spokeswoman for QUEER, Liz Humphrys said the protest came 10 years after AIDS activists first desecrated the clock. "Another group of activists have done similarly," Ms Humphrys said. "They have pulled up some flowers and put in white crosses relating to AIDS deaths particularly in the Third World. And they have dyed some fountains around the city red, including one at Parliament House." Ms Humphrys said there had been 34 million deaths world wide since the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, with 95 per cent of infections occurring in the Third World. The floral clock was presented to Melbourne City Council by the watchmakers of Switzerland in November 1966. The 9.15 metre diameter of the clock requires 7000 plants for each floral design incorporated in the clock. |