Gardeners on alert as sleepers stolen

By Tania Martin
COCKATOO gardeners are heartbroken over the theft of seven wooden sleepers from the town’s community garden.
The community garden committee cannot understand how someone could do such a thing after all the hard work that has been put into the project.
For two years people put in hours of work helping to plan and raise money for the project.
In December a dozen people chipped in to build the two garden plots that the sleepers were stolen from.
Community garden member Marlene Dalziel discovered the sleepers had been stolen on Monday, 15 January while walking through the garden.
The group was surprised that the thieves stole the wood but left the dirt behind.
Group member Rosemary Zurrer said it was heartbreaking to think someone would steal from a group trying to create a slice of garden paradise that everyone could use.
Ms Zurrer said it is not only the cost of the materials stolen but the time and effort everyone put into the project.
Shire of Cardinia Ranges Ward councillor Ed Chatwin said the theft was a “mongrel act” and hopes the police will catch whoever stole the sleepers.
Cr Chatwin said it was disappointing that someone has disregarded all the hard work being done by the Cockatoo Community Garden group by stealing from them.
“It shows a lack of good citizenship,” he said.
Pakenham Police are investigating the theft and are calling for anyone with information to contact them on 5945 2500.