Rosemary statue - stolen again!

In 2016, the delightful Rosemary statue installed in Victory Park, Ascot Vale, in honour of the enduring sacrifice made by women who cared for veterans of World War I, was cut off at the ankles. It was replaced a year later by the City of Moonee Valley. You can read our original story, here. 

However, we were informed on Monday, April 13, 2026 that Rosemary has just suffered the same fate again - cut off at the ankles and the statue stolen. This is a sad thing for the community, especially happening so close to ANZAC Day, when we remember all the victims of the First World War.

The 2017 replacement Rosemary statue

Image: City of Moonee Valley

Vanished Victoria is hopeful that the City of Moonee Valley will replace Rosemary again.

All that remains of Rosemary, April 2026.

Image courtesy of  Mick Slocum. 

Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au, if you have any information on this act of vandalism.

Rosemary Statue Victory Park Ascot Vale

On 28 August 2015 a life-sized bronze statue of a woman  was unveiled in Victory Park, Ascot Vale, in honour of the enduring sacrifice made by women who cared for veterans of World War I.  She was named Rosemary, after the traditional emblem of remembrance, the rosemary plant. The statue was commissioned by the group Women Caring for Veterans of War and funded by a Commonwealth Government ANZAC Centenary grant and the Moonee Valley Council.

The original Rosemary statue.

Image: City of Moonee Valley

Over night on 19 January 2016, Rosemary was stolen, cut off at the ankles, leaving only the feet on the stone plinth. The Moneee Valley Council worked quickly to replace the statue with one made of thicker more robust material and new Rosemary was unveiled 14 March 2017.

All that remained of the Rosemary statute.  

Image: 3AW Breakfast Twitter account

The replacement Rosemary.

Image: City of Moonee Valley

Rosemary is an exquisite statue and stands as a memorial to women everywhere, who cared and still care for service men and women who have been injured both physically and psychologically through war service. It was a callous and disrespectful act to destroy the original. 

Should you have any information about the original Rosemary statute, please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.
Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.


References

• 3AW Rumour File: Heartless thieves cut Ascot Vale tribute at the ankles, 20 January 2016, read 
• Memorial to Women War carers stolen from Ascot Vale Park by Craig Butt. The Age 21 January 2016, read 
• ‘Despicable’ thieves steal tribute statue from Ascot Vale park by Kara Irving. The Herald Sun 21 January 2016, read  
• Replica statue on its way to replace stole Ascot Vale War memorial by Linh Ly. Moonee Valley Leader 25 May, 2016, read 
• Essendon Historical Society newsletter April-May 2018, page 10 read 
• Monument Australia Women Carers of World War One Veterans, read 
• Moonee Valley Family and Local History Blog: Where did Rosemary go? read  

Interestingly, in all the information on the Rosemary statue, the sculptor is not mentioned. We would be interested to know who it was to give them their rightful credit.