Burglars have eye for detail
Artistic topics
Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au DROMANA and District Historical Society members are reeling from the overnight breakin at the Dromana Old Shire Offices in which a range of historic items, as well as photographs, were stolen by burglars who “seemed to know what they were looking for”. Secretary Janet Egglestone said the offenders broke into cabinets and stole 36 selected items and cut pictures from their frames, possibly so they could be rolled up for carrying, Wednesday 7 February, (“Vandals hit historic offices” The News, 13/2/18). Society members are “frustrated” by the lack of CCTV in the Mornington Peninsula Shiremanaged buildings, saying it would have been helpful in identifying the culprits. Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Somerville CIU, said the thieves appeared to have broken in through a rear toilet window. He said forensic police were processing a fingerprint found on one of the glass cabinets. “The investigation is ongoing and we would hope the public can assist, especially if they are offered historic items that may have come from the break-in,” Detective Hocking said. The historical society has about 5000 catalogued items and its volunteers aim to preserve the historical interests of Dromana, Red Hill, Rosebud, McCrae, Main Ridge, Boneo and Red Hill South. “There must have been more than one offender and we get the feeling they knew what they wanted,” Ms Egglestone said, adding that CCTV would have allowed the police to trawl back through recent visitors in the search for suspects. “They must have been in here for a few hours and they picked the eyes out of the collections, taking only the most valuable items.” Ms Egglestone said valuable items taken included a plate and saucer from the Paddle Steam-
Counting the cost: Dromana and District Historical Society president Jean Rotherham and treasurer David Buchanan show where thieves removed historic photographs from their frames. Picture: Gary Sissons
er Cabinet decorated with a motif depicting the P S Hygiea leaving Dromana pier in the 1920s, as well as two parallel sections of rail from the screw steamer Edina 1854. Other items of value are World War I medals from the Military Cabinet, a pair of 1930s silver plated spoons from the McLear Family Cabinet, and a large framed map of the township of the Dromana Parish of Kangerong, taken from the foyer, which is thought to be an original. “It’s hard to put an actual value on the missing
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items, but we will have to for the insurer,” Ms Egglestone said. Volunteers will now set about redesigning their displays with what items of interest they have left and fit their rooms with security cameras. The offices also house the Rotary Club of Dromana, Port Phillip 4WD Club, U3A Southern Peninsula, Dromana Potters Group and Country Women’s Association. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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A WIDE range of topics will be covered by Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Mornington Peninsula members this year. These include A New Black Identity: The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, The Mistress of Romance meets the Master of Suspense: Daphne du Maurier and Alfred Hitchcock and Rembrandt’s Vision: Dutch History Painting in the 17th Century. At the society’s first meeting of the year on Friday 23 February members will hear international expert on medieval manuscripts Dr Christopher de Hamel as he conducts an illustrated tour of the oldest books in Australasia, explaining how they arrived here, why they matter and how to read and understand them. Dr Hamel, who has doctorates from Oxford and Cambridge, will discuss his discovery of the Rothschild prayer book in the Stokes Collection in Western Australia – a tale that involves the 19th century history of collecting medieval art and 21st century’s connoisseurship and scholarship. Club chairman Peter McGinley said ADFAS welcomed new members to learn more about the arts in a friendly, welcoming environment. Lectures are held at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Wilsons Road, Mornington, 5.30pm on nominated Friday evenings. The hour-long illustrated sessions are followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the lecturer and fellow members. Those interested should call secretary Glad Hungerford 9787 2092 who will reserve a seat for first-time visitors at no cost. Group excursions are also a feature, such as the visit to the Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in May. There’s also an opportunity to join other members from across Australia on small group tours designed around special interests. Each year ADFAS Travel arranges tours to Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, America and within Australia. Details: call Lorraine Borthwick 0419 789 280.
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Southern Peninsula News
20 February 2018
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