Treasured memories stolen from Point Lonsdale graveside

A PORTARLINGTON widow is pleading for the return of her late husband’s collectables after they were stolen from his graveside.

Peter Poehland would walk almost every day along the Portarlington beach while picking up pieces of glass.

When the cancer began to take over, members of the community would assist Mr Poehland with the collecting and sorting of the pieces to ensure only colourful glass made it into his jars.

After 42 years of marriage, Glenys Poehland now misses her late husband’s quirks.

“He was a mad collector; he collected all sorts of things from antiques, coasters and magnets for the fridge,” she said.

After her husband lost his battle with cancer in 2016, Glenys used the collection as a landmark for the grave and a way to look back on
fond memories.

Last month Ms Poehland made the shocking discovery that her beloved jar of glass had been taken from her husband’s resting place.

“My heart was saddened when I visited his graveside in Point Lonsdale to find the jar of glass was missing,” she said.

“I couldn’t understand why they would do that because it is just glass for them but for my family and I, it is sentimental and brings back memories.”

Ms Poehland said she contacted the Queenscliffe Cemetery where Mr Poehland is buried to see if they had removed the treasures during a clean-up.

“I rang them there and they told me there weren’t any orders for any such clean-up so they couldn’t help,” she said.

Ms Poehland, who is “gutted” by the disappearance urges anyone who may be in possession to return the glass immediately.
“Please put it back,” she said.

“There won’t be any incriminations – I don’t want to know why they took it and I just want it back, please.”