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Plaque in Maroubra Contains Date Error

A commemorative bench overlooking the bay in Maroubra has unintentionally confused residents due to a significant error in the engraved birth year of Julie Savage, a long-time local who passed away in 2024.

The plaque, placed by a friend, includes a message celebrating Ms Savage’s connection to the Maroubra coastline, her love of swimming, and her respect for the land. However, instead of listing her birth year as 1947, the plaque states it as 2047—creating a timeline inconsistency that has puzzled the community.

Background on the Tribute

Julie Savage died on 29 April 2024. The bench and plaque were installed as a tribute from a close friend named Cat, who praised Ms Savage’s regular walks, ocean swims, and appreciation for the natural and cultural significance of Maroubra’s headland.

The plaque, placed in a prominent public location with Randwick City Council’s logo, reflects sentiments of remembrance and local heritage. The inclusion of a mistaken birth year has, however, shifted attention away from the intended message.

Community Reactions and Council Response

Residents expressed confusion after an image of the plaque was posted to a local Maroubra Facebook page. The post noted the inconsistency between Ms Savage’s birth and death years, prompting widespread engagement.

One resident questioned how such an oversight was not caught earlier in the process, citing the number of people typically involved in preparing and installing public plaques. Comments ranged from humorous to sympathetic, with multiple locals noting the tribute’s intention despite the error.

A friend of the late Ms Savage confirmed that the plaque’s author had been informed of the error and praised the tribute’s message. Randwick City official Dylan Parker later confirmed that the mistake was acknowledged and would be corrected promptly.

Next Steps

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Randwick City Council has committed to addressing the error on the plaque at Maroubra. The tribute remains in place while the correction is arranged, with no timeline yet announced for its replacement. The situation has prompted renewed attention to quality control in public memorials.

Published 19-June-2025

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