Vivienne Conn outside Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood house. 73655 Picture: Kristian Scott
By Charlene Gatt
BRAYBROOK Maidstone Neighbourhood House was left reeling earlier this month after a brazen thief stole a computer and laptop from the premises.
Vivienne Conn, who runs the house, locked up the Melon St premises early on 16 November to attend the Prime Minister’s community cabinet in Werribee.
She returned to discover the centre open and an Apple iMac wireless and her personal laptop missing, worth about $5000 combined. No damage had been done to the house.
Speculation is rife that the theft was an inside job, because there had been no forced entry.
Ms Conn told Star the insurance company would not cover the claim, because the house had not actually been broken into.
“When I came in and noticed things were gone, the activity room door was undone from the inside, so I would say probably somebody visiting the house has set it up for them to come back that evening,” she said.
“That’s the worst part.”
Ms Conn said the computer contained important Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood House work and information.
“A lot of the work I had backed up, but I hadn’t backed up the last couple of months, which was really silly of me.”
Carol Bugeja from the Braybrook Maidstone Community House was horrified by the theft.
“She (Vivienne) does a lot for the community, she’s a wonderful human being,” Ms Bugeja said.
“I feel very sorry for her. It’s pretty low.”
The Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood House started between 2000 and 2002 with a group of local residents and organisations keen to obtain funding to improve the area.
More than $42 million has been spent on a diverse range of projects like the Braybrook Park redevelopment and employment and learning programs with the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
To donate, call Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood House on 9317 5610.
