On June 1, when Sunbury’s state-of-the-art athletics track opened to the public it was lauded as a significant community asset — a day after that, the facility was broken into.
Since then, numerous other “gut-wrenching” burglaries and acts of vandalism have followed, leaving the managing committee frustrated.
Every Sunday, the Sunbury Little Athletics Centre hosts hundreds of families and kids who flock down to the Boardman Reserve Athletics Track to start their mornings.
Last weekend however looked different for participants — ‘Speedy’ the golf buggy was missing in action.
A witness allegedly saw a man driving the vehicle out of the facility’s shed and down Bradman Drive just after 6.30 am.
“We saw that our storage shed had been forced open and the buggy as well as a laptop were missing,” Sunbury Little Athletics Centre president Shane Mattox said.
“I think we were more upset about Speedy, because it’s been a part of the club for well over 15 years.”
Following the incident, the centre put up a Facebook post, alerting its members about the theft.
“It went viral,” Mr Mattox said.
“So many people contacted us — the community as a whole came together for us.
“It sounds ridiculous, but it is a staple of the club.
“To have it back is amazing — it is unfortunately damaged so it’s going to take a while to fix it.”
This “overwhelming” support from not only residents, but also police has resulted Speedy being recovered and brought back home.
Police allege that Speedy was taken by a 39-year-old Sunbury man, who was arrested at a Sunbury property on November 20. He has been charged with burglary, theft and cultivating a narcotic plant.
He was bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrate’s Court on April 1.
According to police, he has only been charged in relation to the golf buggy incident.
Mr Mattox said it was frustrating to see the centre targeted so many times.
“We have had the ropes cut off from our discus nets twice, there was an aluminium border around the track which has been stolen twice too, signs around the fence have been taken or been vandalised.
“For a brand-new space, it’s terrible because it feels like every week something’s happening.”
While the emotional cost is adding up, so is the monetary pressure — with ratepayers coughing up thousands to fix the damage caused.
Responding to the most recent incident left the Hume council $17,000 poorer.
A council spokesperson said the organisation was “fully committed to undertaking the necessary repairs to ensure the venue remains safe, functional, and accessible for the community, as it rightfully should be”.
“Unfortunately, incidents of anti-social behaviour like this do occasionally occur at community sporting facilities,” the spokesperson said.
“It is deeply disappointing that, in addition to the financial burden of repairs — which ultimately impacts ratepayers — the disruption to the club and the broader community while repairs are carried out is also significant.”
The spokesperson said while working closely with police and other key stakeholders to improve security at locations repeatedly targeted by vandalism or theft is a priority – locals could help too.
“[We] encourage community members to play an active role in safeguarding these important assets,” the spokesperson said.
“Reporting any suspicious activity to the police helps protect our facilities for everyone’s benefit.”
Police had no updates for Star Weekly on the other thefts.
