Locals are reeling after vandals ripped out Avenue of Honour saplings dedicated to fallen Coimadai soldiers.
Earlier this year, the Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Association planted 129 young trees along the Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road to commemorate the 129 local men and women who served during the First World War.
But some time on the night of August 31, vandals ripped out nine kurrajong trees and one red box eucalypt.
Association chairman Ken McDonald said members were “bitterly” disappointed the trees had been vandalised and stolen.
“We’re not happy at all,” he said. “The trees were planted by the community and a lot of community effort went into it, and it’s just so disappointing to see this.”
The 10 trees, estimated to be valued at more than $550, cannot be replaced until next year.
“I just hope we don’t lose any more; I have no expectation these people will be found, but let’s hope they don’t steal more,” Mr McDonald said.
There are no CCTV cameras near the Avenue of Honour, which stretches for about 1.6 kilometres, but Mr McDonald said the community was now on high alert.
Senior Constable Nick Wallace, of Bacchus Marsh police, said he was disappointed someone would act in such a despicable way.
“It’s just disappointing, obviously. They’ve gone to a lot of effort to plant the trees in honour of the fallen soldiers,” he said.
While police have no suspects, Senior Constable Wallace said he didn’t believe there was a “hidden agenda” behind the theft.
“I’d only be guessing the reason for taking them, so I don’t know for sure, but I can only assume that some people are stealing trees to plant them in their own garden.”
He urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Bacchus Marsh police on 5366 4500.
The Avenue of Honour was first planted in 1918, but its trees sank into Lake Merrimu.
In June, more than 400 people turned up to see Veterans Affairs Minister Senator Michael Ronaldson open a revamped Avenue of Honour.
