A FLYING, 42 tonne Army tank was undoubtedly an unusual sight for commuters travelling on Jubilee Highway yesterday morning.
The Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League relocated a 1970s era Leopard tank from the Sturt Street memorial area to its new home at the RSL and District Bowling Club.
A crowd of around 30 spectators gathered to watch as the decommissioned tank was lifted by crane, transported across the city’s central business district on an oversized truck and lifted into place by crane again – an operation that took just over four hours.
The tank had been displayed at the Sturt Street site since 2011, however the league was forced to put the premises up for sale last year to ease financial woes – necessitating the relocation of the tank.
RSL and District Bowling Club president Neil Tobin said the club was “privileged” to keep the piece of military history in the city.
“The tank will be a further symbol of the bowling club’s pride in its connection to the RSL and many of our members, including a number of returned soldiers, are keen to celebrate,” he said.
“Our history is very important to our members and we are pleased to be able to have such a lasting memorial of the sacrifice so many Australians made for us and our country at our club.”
RSL president Bob Sandow said while crane hire would be a “large expense” for the struggling league, the truck was generously donated by a local business owner.
“We are so grateful to John, the truck driver, who was very generous to us,” Mr Sandow said.
“He moved the tank for nothing – he volunteered his truck.”
Tabeel Trading’s John McGlade said his long association with the RSL and Mr Sandow had prompted his involvement.
“Myself and my son in law walked the Kokoda track with Bob in 2007,” Mr McGlade said.
“We have had a long association with Bob and the RSL and decided to donate the equipment and our time to help out.”
A number of onlookers remarked that the new location was more prominent and made for a striking display.
“The tank had become part of the furniture on Sturt Street, but it looks great here too,” RSL vice president Peter Bruhn said.
The German-made Leopard tank was deployed around Australia until the Leopard fleet was withdrawn from service in 2007 following the introduction of the Abrams Tank.
