Emptying olive oil an ‘act of faith’, accused say, after pleading guilty to damaging Sydney’s Anzac Memorial

Two born-again Christians admit damaging war memorial but argue their behaviour is a show of faith rather than disrespect

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Emptying bottles of olive oil on a war memorial in broad daylight is an act of faith, say two men who have admitted recklessly damaging the sacred site.

Abel Clark and Peter McMaster, both 61, may have permanently stained the granite walls and steps of Sydney’s Anzac Memorial when they “blessed” them with olive oil about midday on 4 September.