Townsville Toy Library faces heartbreaking setback as vandals strike

The Townsville Toy Library has been dealt another devastating blow after a $5000 fence at its new centre in Vincent was destroyed in a senseless act of vandalism. Find out more.

Townsville Toy Library volunteer Emma Baxter assess the damage after vandals destroyed their brand new fence. Picture: Natasha Emeck

The Townsville Toy Library has been dealt another devastating blow after a $5000 fence at its new centre in Vincent was destroyed in a senseless act of vandalism.

The toy borrowing service — which has saved families thousands and spread joy to kids for years in Townsville — finally moved into its new location in Vincent on Thursday after losing its previous home in the 2019 floods.

Treasurer Stacey Prenter said the happy occasion had been marred after their its new home at the Vincent Community Hall had been targeted by vandals, with the fence destroyed and doors damaged.

“We had the fences installed just under a month ago … initially, we saw one or two poles missing, but in the last week, essentially a whole fencing panel has been damaged,” she said.

“It’s beyond repair.

“We’re a toy borrowing service. We’re here for the children, and we’re here for the community.

“I don’t know why someone would want to do this.”

Townsville Toy Library volunteers Emma Baxter and Stacey Prenter with Herbert MP Phil Thompson (centre). Picture: Natasha Emeck

Ms Prenter said the fence had left them $5000 out of pocket, and now the not-for-profit will need to replace it completely with something much more “sturdy”.

“We’ll have a committee meeting and go over the budget again to figure out where the funds will come from,” she said.

“If there is community support or a fencing person who wants to install a fence. Come on over.”

“We just want to ensure our area is safe and secure for our community members to come in, watch their children play and borrow toys.”

“I don’t know if they’ll come back. Crime in Townsville is pretty horrific at the moment.”

Herbert MP Phil Thompson said it was really disheartening to see vandalism and destruction happening at a place for children and families.

“Townsville does have high crime, but we want to reduce it,” he said.

“The way that we can reduce it right now is by the Vincent and Townsville community rallying around the Townsville Toy Library, to make sure that this doesn’t continue.

“We’re in between a daycare and a school. This is a safe place.

“This is a place where children come to be educated, to learn, to borrow toys, a place where a community comes together as one.”

Originally published as Townsville Toy Library faces heartbreaking setback as vandals strike