DESPERATE thieves have stolen the lettering from the Korumburra Botanical Park sign from the front gates, only a year after the brass commemorative plaque was stolen.
Locals speculated that the letters may have been taken to be melted down for a few bucks, as was thought to be the case with the original commemorative plaque and two bronze plaques, which were stolen from Loch earlier in the year.
An observant resident noticed the missing letters mid-July and the South Gippsland Shire Council was notified.
“I think they’re all brass letters, so I think that’s why they’ve been taken. So, they’ll have to replace them with something, a cheap alloy,” said Ben Ellis, Secretary of Friends of Korumburra Botanical Park (FKBP).
“It’s a very disappointing situation, but they’re running out of things (to take).”
Council have stated that they will be replacing the lettering and are investigating options that are less likely to be stolen.
About 12 months ago, the commemorative plaque that was on one of the posts was ripped off and presumably melted down.
The plaque was in memory of the park being gazetted by the Governor in Council in 1903, with the gates being erected for the centenary of the park in 2003.
“One of our members had a picture of the historic plaque, so we were able to send that to the shire, and they could recreate a new plaque, which is probably made out of some alloy, which isn’t worth stealing.”
Meanwhile, at the park, the FKPB have 2500 plants to get into the ground this winter, after already planting out half, which was funded by Landcare.
They’ve started down by the creek, where it was still damp in June, but dry everywhere else, and Ben is hoping the recent rain will mean they can plant out the rest in time for spring.
