Left: The grave of Jack Robinson, including the white angel that was stolen last week.By Shaun Inguanzo
A MELBOURNE family is appealing for the return of an angel statue stolen from the grave of their three-year-old son in Springvale last week.
David and Anna Robinson’s son Jack, aged three, died after he experienced complications following a bone marrow transplant in 2006.
He was buried in the children’s section at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Jack’s mother, Anna, told Star that Jack died in March 2006, on his birthday, and that Christmas was a difficult time for the family.
“It’s always difficult, especially at times like Christmas and birthdays, and when I’m around other kids his age,” she said.
But the Robinsons face their worst Christmas yet after thieves stole a 50-centimetre white angel statue they had placed at Jack’s grave when he was buried.
Victoria Police has launched a statewide campaign appealing to the public for information leading to the discovery of the angel statue.
Police believe the angel was stolen between family visits to Jack’s grave on 9 December and 15 December.
Mrs Robinson said the family had scoured the cemetery in case the angel was misplaced, but could not find it.
It is the third item the Robinsons have had stolen from Jack’s grave. The other two include a Carlton Football Club gnome and a pot plant they left on Father’s Day.
“You can’t believe that someone can be that low to steal from a cemetery, let alone a little child’s grave,” Mrs Robinson said.
“David is angry as well, and we are just in shock that people can be that callous and nasty.
“I suppose people who haven’t lost a child don’t realise the sentiment of such an object like we do.
“But surely they have some sort of feelings.”
Springvale Botanical Cemetery CEO Russ Allison described the theft as despicable and said it followed the cemetery’s annual remembrance ceremony earlier this month that aimed to ease the pain for families who had lost children.
Mr Allison said there was nothing more the cemetery could do to increase security, as the Springvale Botanical Cemetery spanned 175 hectares and was already tended to frequently by staff.
“It is essentially parkland with free community access,” Mr Allison said.
“It would be physically impossible to provide constant coverage in every area.
“By and large, the community respects the site anyway.”
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
