Cemetery staff have been left disgusted after vandals pushed over children’s headstones and smashed decorations at Kangaroo Flat Remembrance Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Remembrance Parks Central Victoria acting chief executive Joanne Trickey said the damage occurred on Friday in the children’s section of the cemetery.
“Someone has pushed over headstones of babies – it doesn't get much lower than that,” she said.
“And then they’ve gone around and senselessly broken trinkets.”
Five headstones were pushed over and countless other graves had items smashed or moved. Broken glass and pebbles were strewn across the area, fake flowers were shoved into the wire fence and trinkets were rearranged on walkways nearby.
Six roses where adult cremated remains had been laid to rest were also pushed over in an adjoining area.
Ms Trickey and another staff member spent two hours on Saturday morning cleaning up the damage, hoping to spare parents the distressing scene.
“Not only is it a criminal act, but what does that mean to a mother or father or a sibling when they walk in there and see that?,” she said.
“It is an absolute offence against humanity.”
About 60 children and babies have been laid to rest in the cemetery, but Ms Trickey believed not all graves had been touched.
“Police asked me how much money would you put on this,” she said.
“The emotional connection is priceless.”
Police are investigating the damage and believe it occurred between 2pm and 4.30pm on Friday.
Acting Sergeant Ian Randall said he couldn’t imagine how the families felt.
“We can’t understand why something like that would happen,” he said.
Ms Trickey called for anyone who saw something suspicious to contact police.
“I would encourage people who have seen something to say something because this can’t go on,” she said.
“These people that committed this act, I’m sure they wouldn’t like this to happen to someone they love or care about.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the Bendigo Police Station on 5448 1300, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au