CFA’s half-mast flag stolen

By Casey Neill
MEMBERS of Upwey Fire Brigade have been incensed by the theft of their Australian flag which was being flown at half-mast last Tuesday (29 January).
The flag was being displayed at half-mast to respect the death of a wife and mother to three of their members, Colleen O’Brien.
“The brigade was collectively managing the very sad loss of one of our ‘family’ and it certainly impacted on our grieving,” brigade captain Peter Marke said.
Mr Marke described the incident as “a graphic example of idiocy at the least and a lack of values of the offenders”.
“One wonders at the level of intelligence and the quality of the upbringing and associated family values of these people,” he said.
“To be so brazen to steal it from such a busy location in daylight between 6pm and 8pm astounds us.”
Mr Marke said graffiti and vandalism are a growing problem in Upwey and its surrounds.
“Certainly we’ve had an increase in unsociable behaviour in the area,” he said.
Also chairman of the Upwey and district community bank, Mr Marke said it too had been a target of vandals in recent weeks.
The vandals caused damage to a large glass door that must now be replaced.
“It certainly is a worrying resurgence of frustrating graffiti and vandalism.”
Mr Marke said parents need to know where their kids are at all times and need to teach them principles and values.
He said the township group is working with the Shire of Yarra Ranges to target vandalism and graffiti.
“I commend what the community is trying to do and the local police,” he said.
Sergeant Brendan Sheers from Belgrave police said on Friday (1 February) that there had been no new information on the case.
“It’s a pretty despicable thing to do,” he said.
Belgrave police did not wish to comment on the issue of graffiti and vandalism in the area.
The brigade and police are appealing to anyone who may have seen someone at the flagpole at the time of the theft to contact the Belgrave police on 9754 6677.