Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
27 MARCH, 2024
Egg-citing Easter hunt Easter has come early to Yarraville with the return of the Easter Egg Hunt. Several Easter clues have been hidden in participating retailers in Yarraville Village, ready to be picked by eager little hands. Vice-president of the Yarraville Traders Association Andrew Charles said the clues in local stores give participants a shot at winning a “phenomenal” Easter hamper packed with goods from local businesses. “People find the clues in different businesses, scan the QR code and answer questions on the quiz,” he said. “It is great to see kids walking around with their parents, it started as a crazy community event that has taken off so we’ve decided to go back to our roots and have restarted again because it gives great engagement with our loyal customers.” Answers need to be submitted by March 31 to join the hunt. Details: https://yarraville.org/easteregg-hunt-quiz/
Coated owner Matt Grisold (front) with Maddy Harrison-Shore and Ella Demasi. (Damjan Janevski) 395469_01
Thefts a ‘heartless’ act By Jennifer Pittorino Parents, grandparents and loved ones have been devastated by the theft of plaques from the graves of children at Altona Memorial Park, sparking a conversation about stronger security. The Garden of Little Angels is where Taylors Hill woman Ally Burns visits her daughter, Bella. The garden is home to 1000 other children taken too soon. Ms Burns was not alone in her devastation
when she heard about the thefts which rocked the Hobsons Bay community ealier this month. In a press conference on Friday, March 15, the day after the thefts, Detective Senior Constable John Randone said it appeared the plaques were stolen for financial gain. Luckily Bella’s plaque remained untouched, but not all families are able to share the same relief as Ms Burns, with 75 plaques still missing from graves. “There’s one directly next to my daughter’s that was taken. I have met that family multiple
times, it is just heartbreaking,” she said. “My heart sank. I was devastated that this had happened. I was so angry because I don’t understand how someone could be so heartless and destroy a memory of children.” It has been eight years since Ms Burns was faced with the impossible challenge of making arrangements to bury her her baby girl, still as fresh as ever in her memory. “We chose this area because it had a beautiful feel about it, it is very childlike it gives you this magical feeling,” she said. As you walk past the small granite
headstones, children’s toys, windmills, and flowers lie next to small plaques chosen and carefully picked by parents. “Parents pour their heart and soul into this place to create a beautiful memory of their children,” she said. “Coming up with a design for the plaque took me hours, making sure it was exactly how I wanted it. “It’s very symbolic of their love for their child, so it’s like part of you was taken.” ■ Continued: Page 3.
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