By Cameron Weston
A NATIVITY scene in Altona Meadows is missing its star attraction after thieves last week stole a baby Jesus figurine from his resting-place, the manger.
The ceramic statue was stolen some time late on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning, only hours after the nativity scene was installed at Altona Meadows’ Central Square Shopping Centre.
Kevin Skehan from the Knights of the Southern Cross, a Roman Catholic service group that sets up nativity scenes at Central Square and Sanctuary Lakes every year, said the theft had raised the ire of the local community who were “mad as bull ants”.
“It is just a despicable act.
“A kid couldn’t take it home and show it to his mother. Whoever stole it has probably just smashed it or thrown it in the grass somewhere.”
Mr Skehan said the imported Italian figure could not be replaced before Christmas, sparking a search for an appropriate stand-in saviour or a suitable doll.
He said the nativity was set up to remind people of the origin of Christmas and visiting the scene was an experience that local children enjoyed.
“It is an attempt to try and remind people what Christmas is all about… there is a lot of commercialisation of Christmas, so we want to show people that there is another side to it than buying presents and spending money.”
Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact Laverton Police on 9369 2122.
