Aboriginal elder Aileen Allen has been left “shattered” after vandals have damaged trees and grasses in the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre.
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Over the past three days, 13 wattle and acacia trees as well as 16 grasses have been dug up.
The trees have been stolen and the grasses were left scattered around the centre.
As well as damages to the landscape, a lock on the chained fence was cut, allowing the vandals to drive into the area.
Ms Allen is the chairperson of the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre and planted the trees with her own hands.
She said she is frustrated that people would vandalise a place that is meant to be enjoyed by everybody.
“I was destroyed yesterday, today I’m shattered,” she said.
“I’m just so frustrated at these people who have no respect for anything.”
This is not the first time the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre has been vandalised as all 24 trees were pulled out last year and thrown in the lagoon.
As a result Ms Allen said she is now looking into ways of protecting the centre and has approached council for help.
Forbes Shire Council general manager Brian Steffen said they are looking into the best way to assist.
“We want to help and we’re looking at the options for CCTV and are getting quotes for lighting,” he said.
“Police advise that lighting is one of the best options and since we put the lighting in Apex Park we haven’t had any needles found.”
One measure already taken to create more visibility for the centre has been to spray the reeds in the lake, making it more visible from the Newell Highway.
Ms Allen has been custodian of the land since 2012 and said it is a place for everyone, indigenous and non indigenous.
“We want this to be the best educational centre ever,” she said.
“It’s not just a place for the Aboriginal community, it’s for the Forbes community and we want people to be proud of this place and what we have achieved.”
Mr Steffen said the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre is an important place and should be protected for the Aboriginal and Forbes community.
“It’s absolutely essential [to preserve], it’s an educational centre and a place for people to learn about Aboriginal culture,” he said.
“It’s also a place a lot of visitors to town go because it’s just a lovely spot to sit.”
Anyone with information about this incident that could assist police can contact them on 6853 9999 or anonymously on Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
