‘Trail of destruction’ left at Mount Gambier Show Grounds after four consecutive break-ins
Volunteers have been left “heartbroken” after the theft of booze, keys and a laptop in repeated break-ins at their cherished showgrounds.
SA News
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Mount Gambier Show Grounds volunteers say they are “heartbroken” after the grounds were broken into four times in four nights.
An SA Police spokeswoman said keys, a laptop and alcohol were stolen from the grounds early on Monday and Tuesday morning, while it was not clear if anything was stolen during break-ins on Sunday and Wednesday.
She said police were investigating.
Showgrounds secretary Kelly Beard said over the four nights, doorjambs, doors and windows were broken, while items belonging to a local sport association were stolen.
She said on the first three nights, the offenders fled after alarms were sounded, but on the fourth night they targeted an area without alarms.
Ms Beard said they targeted different parts of the grounds each night – including the committee room, secretary’s office, a workshop and pavilions – between 3am and 4.30am.
“It’s just very disappointing that there’s this lack of respect,” she said.
“The grounds are owned by the show society (and run by volunteers). We maintain the site, 73 acres of showgrounds, and with all the outbuildings, it’s a lot of maintenance.
“We have to fundraise to try keep everything maintained. We wanted to get (security) cameras a few years ago, but it wasn’t viable for the society.
“We’ve had different security measures put in place since the first night and they’re still coming back. It just blows my mind.”
After the third break-in, volunteers shared the news on the Mount Gambier Show Facebook page, saying on Tuesday they were heartbroken when they discovered the “trail of destruction”.
Despite an outpouring of support for the show society on Facebook, Ms Beard said the alleged offenders struck again in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Facebook commenters said the grounds were “such a great community facility” and called the actions “disgusting behaviour”.
“I hope they get caught and harshly dealt with,” one commenter wrote. “Probably kids who know they can get away with it.”
The showgrounds are home to the annual Mount Gambier Show and will host an autumn market later this month.
The grounds also include a campground, and facilities for community members and sporting clubs.
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