By RUSSELL BENNETT
IN AN act that has to be seen to be believed, Garfield’s pristine Beswick Street football ground has been callously vandalised in the cold hard light of day.
A crucifix, complete with a name scrawled at the bottom of it and a six-foot high liquid amber tree planted at the top, was dug into the Garfield Recreation Reserve on Thursday.
The Gazette understands that it happened between 9.30am and about 3pm.
The hole is around two metres long by about one and a half wide, and it’s at least a foot deep. To make matters worse, it’s right next to the cricket pitch in the centre of the ground – widely considered to have one of the best playing surfaces of any ground the Gazette covers.
“We don’t know who did this or why,” said the ground’s curator, Rodger Vanderpas.
“But it absolutely annoys the hell out of me.
“I bust my butt to keep the ground in great condition – even in the quieter parts of the year I spend four or five hours a week looking after it.
“We’re lucky the shire has come to our aid, but I’d hate to see the repair bill.”
The name etched into the ground below the hole adds a terrifying aspect to it.
Garfield Stars senior coach Ryan Hendy couldn’t believe his eyes when he got to the ground just before 6pm last night for training.
There is junior football fixtured for the Garfield ground this weekend, while the seniors return the following week for a blockbuster against the top of the table Cora Lynn.
Bunyip police are looking into the matter. Anyone with information is urged to come forward and call the police on (03) 5629 5205.
