Mei Hsin and Geraldine Brooks at the scene where criminals stole four fruit trees from a community garden. 68755 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Belinda Nolan
ARDEER children have been left heartbroken, after callous thieves stole four fruit trees from the community’s playground just weeks after they were planted.
The cherry, pear, apple and fig trees stood 180cm high, and had been purchased with money donated by the community during a recent fundraising event.
Geraldine Brooks, president of the Ardeer Community Playground Committee, said the trees had been planted at the Forrest St park on 16 July to be shared by the whole community.
But within a fortnight, one of the trees had disappeared.
“At first, we noticed that only one tree had gone but when we went back a few days later they had all been taken,” Ms Brooks said.
“It looks like the thieves had taken the first tree, then came back for the rest another night.”
Ms Brooks said local school children had been looking forward to watching the fruit grow and couldn’t wait to share the fruits with their friends.
“They will be so disappointed when they go to the playground and notice that they are gone,” Ms Brooks said.
“All you can see now is four big ugly holes in the ground.”
Disturbingly, Ms Brooks said the thieves had snubbed the indigenous trees planted at the same time, and made a beeline for the fruit.
“They weren’t even in fruit at the time, so clearly they knew exactly what they were looking for,” Ms Brooks said.
“The sad thing is that those trees were meant to be shared by the whole community.
“If they wanted some fruit, they didn’t have to steal it. They could have enjoyed it with everyone else.”
Ms Brooks said the struggling committee would have difficulty affording the cost of replacing the trees.
“And we’re not even sure whether it’s a good idea because someone will probably come along and steal them again.”
The playground committee is seeking donations from the community to help cover the cost of replacing the trees.
Anyone wishing to donate new trees can email sgfowler@aapt.net.au
