Gippsland Umpires Association sports club broken into for the third time in a month on Settlement Rd, Drouin
A Drouin sports club has copped three break-ins in a month, with thieves nicking lifesaving equipment and causing up to $6000 of damage.
Bass Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bass Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A West Gippsland sports club has been targeted three times in a month by thieves, costing the club up to $6000 in replacements and damages.
The burglar nicked alcohol, security cameras, snacks and about $600 in cash, as well as lifesaving equipment from the Gippsland Umpires Association.
Club umpire coach manager and secretary Ken Jones told the Herald Sun it would cost the club $2000 to replace the defibrillator, and much more to repair all the damage.
The Gippsland Umpires Association shares its club rooms with the Drouin Cricket Club and Drouin Junior Footy — all community clubs ran by volunteers that rely heavily on sponsorships to stay in business.
Mr Jones said the first break-in happened at the Junior Footy Club, where training gear, drinks and chocolate were stolen.
“The second night they came back and spotted our bar — they cut the roller door to gain access to the serving window and grabbed our iPad that we use square sales for,” he said.
“And even the amplifier for the PA system — they just grabbed everything they could reach.”
Mr Jones said the club was not “flush with cash” and lost a lot of its funds during Covid.
“It’s just annoying — these kinds of things make it a bit difficult,” he said.
Mr Jones said multiple other clubs in the area had also been targeted.
“We’d all just love to be left alone,” he said.
“The club has a good group of people that really look out for each other.
“It’s such a shame that someone has to come along and steal things like a defib, and at any point in time our older members could really need it.”
But he’s not without hope.
“We’ve had the local ambulance reach out and offer some help tracking the defib or replacing it,” Mr Jones said.
“Some local footy clubs have said they have some spare defibs we could borrow — that’s been the nice part of it all that people are wanting to help.”
He said police were called to collect fingerprints at the club and investigations were ongoing.
Anyone with more information, witnessed the break-ins or has CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, make a confidential report online, call the Drouin police station on (03) 5625 2003 or the Warragul police station on (03) 5622 7111.
‘Absolutely everywhere’: Syringes dumped at Morwell playground
A community member has urged parents to stay vigilant after a number of syringes were found scattered at a Morwell playground.
Pictures: Victorian preppies start their first day of school
About 70,000 Victorian grade prep students have started their first year of school this week. Check back to see all the photos from primary schools across the state.