THE close knit community of Missabotti have recently been dealt a disheartening blow when their much loved Community Centre was broken into by thieves.

The historic building has stood for 96 years and is considered by many to be the local social hub.

Although the thieves did not extensively damage the building they did take items vital to fundraising efforts that pay the bills to keep the centre open.

The hall is available for hire and its pie warmer and hot water urn, regularly used by those hiring the hall, are among the hard to replace items stolen during the break-in.

Secretary of the Missabotti Community Centre Committee, Tina Holmes, told News Of The Area they “regularly used the pie warmer on market days and other events and the food items sold were a big part of income needed for the upkeep of the centre”.

The stage in the building boasted speakers and an amplifier and they too have been stolen along with other important items.

The theft is another disappointing event for the small, hard working committee in recent months at the Community Centre.

Late last year there was a break-in on a smaller scale and since then vandals have smashed bottles in the adjoining tennis courts, requiring hours of clean up work by volunteers to remove the hazard to local children.

“The police response has been fabulous and they have been extensive in their investigations including fingerprinting the scene,” Tina said.

News Of The Area contacted the Police for comment and were advised, “Although there have been no arrests at this stage, investigations are continuing.”

The Police added that, “While this may have been an isolated incident, residents in the area should be vigilant to any unusual occurrence and anyone who has information regarding the break-in is urged to call crime-stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

The facility itself is owned by Nambucca Valley Council who must absorb the cost for some of the repair work required in the aftermath of this break-in and the entire community should be concerned about the consequences of this thoughtless act of theft.

If you have an event coming up and are looking for a venue, hiring the historic Missabotti Community Centre is inexpensive and might help this diligent little committee keep a great community asset up and running.

 

By Mick BIRTLES