Charges laid after investigation into missing National Trust items

The Mercury understands a former employee of Tasmania’s National Trust was charged after an investigation into items missing from the historical collection. Here’s what we can tell you.

Justice scales.

A former employee of Tasmania’s National Trust has been charged with stealing after an investigation was launched into an assortment of items missing from the organisation’s historical collection.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told the Mercury that the individual had been charged and would appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court next month.

The Mercury understands that the trust - which has, separately, been plagued with financial issues in recent years - alerted police to a range of items missing from its inventory, which prompted an investigation.

National Trust Tasmania managing director, Scott Carlin, confirmed investigations were continuing but said the trust was unable to comment further on the situation.

“We can confirm there’s been an ongoing investigation that the trust initiated but we can’t say anything further because it’s to be a matter before the courts,” he said.

When the Mercury first sent questions to Tasmania Police in August regarding the investigation, a spokeswoman said police had received a report “in relation to items allegedly stolen from National Trust Tasmania”.

This week, police were asked if charges had been laid against a former employee of the trust. A police spokeswoman confirmed that a person had been charged with stealing on October 10 and had been bailed to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on November 22.

National Trust Tasmania is responsible for the protection and presentation of historic heritage places under the National Trust Act 2006.

It manages eleven historic properties across the state, including Runnymede, Clarendon House, Home Hill and ­Penghana.

The organisation, which was established in 1960, receives more than $300,000 per year from the state government under a three-year funding assistance grant.

In a budget estimates hearing in June this year, former Heritage Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said the government was “keeping a close eye on the financial circumstances of the National Trust”.

The trust will hold its annual general meeting on Sunday, October 29, where it will elect three board members.

Originally published as Charges laid after investigation into missing National Trust items