A custom work vehicle was stolen from the Echuca-Moama Men’s Shed, leaving president John Tregea and volunteers reeling.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
A vehicle was stolen from a local community group at the weekend, leaving members without essential transport for community events.
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The 1994 Ford Courier ute, registration OQC 172, was taken from the Echuca-Moama Men’s Shed in the early hours of Sunday, November 23 following a break-in the previous day.
President John Tregea said CCTV footage showed a person forcing entry to the property and rigging the roller door to open manually, which they later returned through to steal the ute and a plasma cutter.
Victoria Police was contacted when members returned to the shed on Tuesday, November 25, to find the door was broken and the vehicle missing.
“It’s just a kick in the guts for us,” Mr Tregea said.
“Our little work ute, we do a lot of community work with it, and barbecues ― we were ready to do three barbecues next week for Vivid and (Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School).”
Both organisations have celebrations planned for International Day of People with Disability.
A picture of the stolen ute with rendered signage, which has not been applied to the vehicle. Registration OQC 172.
Photo by
Supplied
The ute was donated by a widowed community member around seven years ago, and had just received $3000 worth of repairs and upgrades, adding to modifications volunteers had made to it.
It was set to receive custom decal signage from Signarama Echuca-Moama before being stolen.
Mr Tregea said it was a perfect addition to the shed, allowing members to use a dedicated vehicle for events and picking up or delivering materials.
“They’ll use their own ute now ... which just means more costs for everyone,” he said.
President John Tregea and member Alan Trevena with a restored carriage wheel.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“It was great before because two of our volunteers could hop in that little ute together, and away they go with the trailer.”
The group is currently working on restoring four carriages for the Port of Echuca, crafting a commissioned table and delivering native bee houses to local nurseries, among other projects.
A Campaspe Police Service Area detective said Echuca police were investigating the matter.
Members Russell Currie and Bruce Goder with their hand-crafted table, made of recycled timber, under construction.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Meanwhile, the Echuca-Moama Men’s Shed is calling on the community to contact the group with offers for a reasonably priced vehicle to be used by volunteers.
The group can be visited from Tuesday to Thursday at Rotary Park, 1-7 Rose St, Echuca, phoned on 0498 480 246 or emailed at emms@outlook.com.au
Community members with information on the stolen 1994 Ford Courier, registration OQC 172, can phone Echuca Police Station on 5483 1500 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
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