June 14, 2021
Nanango’s Catholic community is asking local residents to keep a watch out for historic photographs, missing after a break-in at the church’s meeting room last week.
Thieves entered the church meeting room – the old school building in Alfred Street, behind the church – by breaking a window in a door last Thursday night.
Once inside, food was stolen and other items strewn about.
Sadly, many posters and photos on display were removed from their cabinets.
Parishioner Liz Caffery said the displays of historic photos and news clippings were put together in the 1990s, in the pre-digital era.
Most of the photos are irreplaceable.
They chronicle much of the history of St Patrick’s Catholic School and Our Lady Help Of Christians over the past century and have been the backdrop for many events at the parish.
The posters were refurbished for the church’s centenary in 2017 and were a popular part of the celebrations.
“Some of these have been retrieved, found nearby,” Liz said.
“These posters displayed photos of the history of our church and St Patrick’s School.
“If anyone finds any more of the posters, please return them to St Patrick’s School or contact Nanango Police if you have information about them.”
Police investigations into the incident are continuing.
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UPDATE June 28: The missing history posters from the Catholic Church meeting room have been returned.
Liz Caffery said they were found in a black bag left on the verandah.
“We can now restore our historical display with its church and school memories from over the past 120 years. Thank you!” she said.
