Let Us Grieve At The Scene

Newcastle Herald

Friday January 4, 2008

JACQUI JONES - PORT STEPHENS

TO family and friends, Dale Dickens's roadside memorial at Tanilba Bay is a mark of respect, a tribute to all he achieved in his tragically short 20 years.

But others in the community say the memorial is too big, draws a crowd and is unnecessary.

Their complaints have not only angered Dale's loved ones, but could force authorities to enforce regulations requiring the memorial to be removed or modified.

Dale, from Salt Ash, was killed on November 25.

He was riding with a friend on a trail bike at Tanilba Bay when it collided with a four-wheel-drive on Lemon Tree Passage Road, near the Avenue of the Allies.

Dale's friends built a two-metre high metal cross on a grassed area near the accident scene two days after his death and have since added photographs, messages and flowers.

Dale's family and friends visit the site regularly.

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PLEA TO GRIEVE AT THE SCENE

But their gatherings and the size of the memorial have drawn complaints from some residents.

Port Stephens councillor Steve Tucker, a Tanilba Bay resident, said yesterday council staff had contacted him regarding three complaints and the staff were considering how to address the matter.

Dale's family said they had heard the council might pull down the memorial.

Dale's youngest brother Pete Dickens, 19, was involved in setting up the memorial and is shattered at the prospect it may have to be dismantled.

"I'd be very angry and upset," he said yesterday.

"I think a lot of people would be angry about it if it had to be removed.

"We go there a fair bit."

Pete Dickens said he, his brothers and Dale's friends looked after the site, mowing grass and removing any dead flowers.

"It's not like it's a big hassle for the council," he said.

Dale's mother Sue Dickens said yesterday she had not left the house much since her son's death. But she did take flowers to the memorial on Christmas Eve.

Mrs Dickens said the memorial was placed a fair way off the road so it was not distracting.

She has heard of some hurtful complaints about it.

"One particular person was apparently up in arms about the cross," she said.

"He said why should he [Dale] be special and have it when he was just one of the dregs of the area."

Dale's family said he was a successful apprentice electrician, who travelled around Australia in his job, and an accomplished trail bike rider.

He enjoyed playing guitar, boxing, socialising, four-wheel-driving and going to the beach.

Dale's father Ron Dickens said that, like other memorials, his son's meant so much to the many people who knew Dale.

"It doesn't matter where you drive around Port Stephens, there's a lot of those crosses and flowers around," he said.

"They're just a real good bunch of kids [who erected the memorial], they're not out to hurt anybody."

Port Stephens Council spokesman Stephen Crowe said the council was unable to comment because the relevant staff were on leave.

The council's roadside tributes and memorials policy says crosses in rural road areas must not exceed a height of 700 millimetres and a width of 400 millimetres. Only floral tributes are permitted in built-up areas.

In the event where there were concerns regarding a roadside tribute or memorial, the council or relevant authority could approve its removal, relocation or modification, the policy said.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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