Clubrooms damaged
Repeated vandalism attacks at Warragul Croquet Club has left its members at their wits end.
During the past month the club has been left to endure fences cut, broken windows, tagging on the clubhouse and shed and the powerbox has been tampered with.
Warragul Croquet Club treasurer Mary Cornwall said club members were fed up with the repeated attacks on their club.
“They’ve cut our new fence with bolt cutters and once in they tried to jemmy open the side door to the club house,” she said.
“When that failed they graffitied the back and side of the club house. This comes on top of them smashing a window and turning our power off.
“The shire has been fantastic in cleaning it up but that’s ratepayers’ money, the ratepayer is footing the bill. It beggars belief. There’s no respect.”
The club has taken measures to increase its security with installation of motion sensor cameras, but unfortunately missed out on a grant for security lighting. The club is also considering installing more fencing, subject to attracting the funding.
Mrs Cornwall said repeated attacks could affect the viability of the club, which gives back to the community through school programs. The club is also in the process of drawing up a program to assist people with their rehabilitation.
“We are not a wealthy club, nor a big numbers club and rely primarily on the membership of elderly people to keep us afloat,” she said.
“Whenever we need major works done we rely heavily on obtaining grants to see us through.
“We provide an open, happy, carefree avenue where elderly people are able to visit and spend time socialising and exercising,” she said.
Police are investigating the incidents of criminal damage and vandalism. Police said last week’s incident followed several other reports since the end of May.