The Lara RSL community has been rocked by the theft of a memorial plaque recognising local World War Two and Vietnam veterans.
The large bronze plaque was forcibly removed from the Memorial gates opposite APCO in Lara.
Sub-branch President Marcus McEwen said the plaque is of no value to those who stole it but is incredibly important to the families of those recognised on it.
“It actually makes you second guess everything that you did for our country,” he said.
“There’s names on there that we’ve unfortunately buried recently, there’s only one person that was on that plaque that’s still alive with us today, so it’s just absolutely heartbreaking for us all,
“It was very hard for me to make the phone call to our last member we’ve got alive that’s on that plaque and say, ‘Look mate, I’m really, really sorry, but the plaque’s been stolen.’ He just broke down immediately.”
The matter has been passed on to Victoria Police, Mr McEwen asking anyone with information to reach out to the sub-branch, Crime Stoppers, or Lara Police Station.
“If someone’s found it, I’m more than happy for it to just be dropped off at the RSL and we’ll take care of it, no questions asked,” he said.
“We just want it back for that families of the people that are listed on that plaque.”
