Heartless theft

By Jessica Howard

Callous thieves have stolen a life-saving heart machine from the Bacchus Marsh Soccer Club.

The defibrillator was stolen from the Scorpion’s clubrooms at Masons Lane during a series of break-ins that occurred over a five-month period.

Club member and previous president, Noel Stanley said members arrived at the clubrooms on numerous occasions to discover doors were wide open and damaged.

“Cupboards and showers were broken; graffiti was all over the inside of the rooms and external walls; and money and drinks were stolen from a vending machine, which was broken beyond repair,” he said.

“For a small club, the damage has been quite extensive; however, the biggest issue has been the theft of our defibrillator. It is probably the single most important piece of equipment that we have at the club”.

Mr Stanley said the behaviour was “pure mindlessness”.

“I am extremely disappointed that someone would think it is appropriate to take a machine that they will probably never use and will probably never be able to sell on eBay or the market,” he said.

“We are so vulnerable without this piece of equipment, which has saved so many lives at clubs around the country. If [the thieves] still have it, I hope they will return it. I will happily take it back and no more will be said about it”.

The Bacchus Marsh Soccer Club purchased the defibrillator two-and-a-half-years ago through club sponsorship and fundraising, and funding from Moorabool Shire Council and Bacchus Marsh Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank.

“As we are a sporting club, we rely solely on fundraising and sponsorship,” Mr Stanley said.

“However, the grants that we would need to apply for have now closed, so we are reaching out to the Bacchus Marsh community to help raise $3,000.

“We have an account with Bacchus Marsh Bendigo Bank and would appreciate any donations at all to help us to replace this life saving equipment”.

Donations can be made to:
The Bacchus Marsh Soccer Club
BSB: 633 000
ACC: 1547 95124