Garden guardian for veterans’ centre

IF you make a visit to the Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre, and you’ll notice a metal soldier in the garden, resting on reversed arms under an Australian flag.

The three-metre-tall outdoor art has been donated to the organisation by David Winters of Avalon Nursery, after BVAC’s Les Finch admired a similar piece on a trip out to the Haddon-based business.

“Les was telling me about how the City of Ballarat had kindly given them the Centre’s venue, so we thought we’d help out, and donate this for the garden,” he said.

“In my heart, returned servicepeople need a lot more support, so we just want to help out and spread the word about the organisation.

“Instead of us advertising on TV for one month, I can donate $2000 to this venue, which we will, to help out, and I hope other businesses and the community come along and offer support in some way, shape or form, because councils can only do so much.”

Mr Finch said he has been “astounded” by the gesture.

“It was totally unexpected but very much appreciated, especially after the last 12 months, which has been so hard on businesses,” he said.

“My wife and I have been customers for a few years at the nursery, so I have gotten to know David.

“We both realised we had something in common, both involved with or supporters of the Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women’s Association.”

Before his nursery venture, Mr Winters was a boilermaker. This soldier is the work of another boilermaker friend of his in Mansfield.