Vandals target Hall of Fame

THE Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame (ASHoF) and Our Lady’s School suffered an onslaught of vandalism last Sunday, stirring police into bumping up patrols in the area.

For three consecutive weekends vandals have used slingshots to kill animals and smash property in the grounds of the Hall of Fame.

Last Sunday the perpetrators waited for the ASHoF groundskeeper to leave before peppering the windows of the cottage with marbles launched from handheld shooters.

Police arrived at the scene a short time after the vandals set off the ASHoF’s alarm, and found 24 panes of glass shattered, wooden venetian blinds broken and all 18 of the coloured bulbs on Dale’s bar smashed.

The globes on the bar had only just been replaced after being targeted two weekends previously, along with a mirror and eight windows in the ladies toilet block.

The following weekend several outdoor lights around the grounds were shattered and ASHoF staff found a dead duck, goanna and kangaroo as well as a gosling which had been backed into a corner and shot with marbles.

Last Sunday Our Lady’s school became another target as they received smashed windows and had a whiteboard damaged from a marble slingshot.

ASHoF CEO Debbie Erswell said she could not understand why anybody would commit such senseless acts.

"It is absolutely disheartening to think that people could do something like this," Ms Erswell said.

"That kind of mindless vandalism and killing of animals is not on.
"The repair of the damage will be very costly. We are a not for profit organisation with limited resources - we can’t afford these kinds of expenses.
"They did this in broad daylight. Someone must have seen or heard something, or someone’s kids must know something. I ask everyone to let the police know."

Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Neuendorf said police have cast a wide net in order to catch the offenders.

"Vandalism will not be tolerated in the community," Snr Srgt Neuendorf said.

"We believe the offenders are quite young. If parents or members of the community see children using slingshots around town then any information would be appreciated and treated with the strictest confidence. People can also call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."