Local John Bowell was “devastated” when he learned vandals had damaged the memorial garden, which honours six children who lost their lives in the train-bus accident in South Kempsey in 1968, for a second time.
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Mr Bowell orchestrated the creation of the new memorial garden and worked alongside community members to begin the construction in August.
The design of the memorial has six miniature conifer trees at the front of the garden and each represents a life lost in the tragedy.
Heartlessly, one of the conifer trees was stolen last Thursday night.
It isn’t the first time the memorial garden has been damaged as plants were ripped out and a conifer tree was stolen last month.
Carl Flaitas, who has worked tirelessly on the project, made the discovery and was left very emotional.
“Each day I drive past the memorial on my way home from work and look to make sure everything is fine with the garden,” Mr Flaitas told the Argus.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw last Friday morning, another conifer tree was taken.
“It really affects me as I have become attached to what happened to these children.
“Each conifer tree represents a child who has passed away in a tragic accident and to steal something with that significance is beyond belief.
“If a different plant was taken then it would affect me differently.”
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Mr Bowell was equally as stunned.
“When I heard the news I was devastated again,” he said.
Despite the setback of vandals, Mr Bowell, Mr Flaitas and the rest of the team which have worked on the memorial garden are on schedule for completion for the 50th anniversary of the tragedy on December 9.
A ceremony is currently being organised to be held at the memorial garden and the Argus will provide further details prior to the event.
Police have been notified and are investigating the incident.
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