Family mourns

By Callan Date
A ROADSIDE memorial paying tribute to a teenager killed in a Doveton car crash has been removed.
An array of flowers, crosses and touching RIP messages that once adorned the site where Harley Debnam lost his life are no longer after Casey council cleared the scene last Saturday.
Grieving mother Helen Kempster has vowed to put up another memorial to her son.
She said the first she knew about the removal was when a police officer approached her only hours before the work was carried out.
“I think it’s disgusting. They (Casey) didn’t even approach me themselves,” Ms Kempster said.
“It’s not even a year – it has just gone 10 months and they have tried to wipe it out like it hasn’t even existed.”
Harley, 17, died when the car he was a passenger in slammed into a power pole near the intersection of Power and Kidds roads on 20 July last year.
Several other people were injured in the collision including Harley’s younger brother Josh.
Ms Kempster said the crash site was a place where family and friends often go to remember the popular teenager.
“I couldn’t afford to get a burial for my son so that is the place where we go. That’s where we feel we connect with him.
“It’s not fair that you can’t even display a cross where somebody has died.”
Tributes at the site increased over the last few weeks as the driver involved in the crash faced court.
Casey council has defended its decision to clear the memorial, saying it posed a major distraction to motorists travelling past the site.
Councillor Wayne Smith said officials had been working with the family to find the best solution.
“Council had no choice but to recently clean up the site,” Cr Smith said.
“It got out of hand. When the site becomes so obvious and a possible distraction to drivers we had to do something,” he said.
Council workers have painted over all personal messages, removed floral tributes and cleaned the road of all markings left by Harley’s friends.
Ms Kempster said she could understand Casey’s motivations for cleaning the road – but not the other items.
“I have encouraged Harley’s friends to not write on the road. I understand that, but not the cross. It will serve as a warning rather than a distraction.
“When I see a cross on the side of the road I know I automatically look at my speedo and slow down,” she said.
Casey CEO Mike Tyler said council is sympathetic to those affected by Harley’s death. “The paint used along the road and intersection had affected the road surface and could become a serious safety concern for road users,” Mr Tyler said.
“Council and police consulted with the family prior to repairing and restoring the site and will continue to work with the people involved in the tragedy.
“However, the whole community is urged to keep the site clean and safe for road users and residents,” he said.
But Ms Kempster has vowed to continue the fight to remember her son.
“I’m going to put a cross back on this pole.
“As long as they take it down, we will put something back up.”