Vandals damage property in strike

Greenkeeper Colon Gorrie and club manager Amy Ambrey are unimpressed by the attack on the greens.

Mike Knott

BUNDABERG police arrested three teenage boys on Monday night after reports of a disturbance in Bingera Street.

The three boys, aged 14, 15 and 17, were arrested and charged with public nuisance at 9.20pm after police received several complaints from residents.

Police are investigating their possible connection to three cases of wilful damage — at the Burnett Bowls Club, St John Ambulance and damage to a vehicle at the Friendlies hospital — which all

occurred in the same area as the disturbance.

The Burnett Bowls Club outdoor area was broken into and the culprits threw rink markers and broken pegs on to the greens, causing minor damage to the surface.

Bowls club manager Amy Ambrey said she was upset by the act.

“It’s very disappointing to receive a call and find out that this has happened,” she said.

“We were very lucky they were disturbed so they didn’t do more damage.”

Greenkeeper Colon Gorrie said he found the damage about 5am.

“They had kicked ashtrays on to the greens and busted the lock on the gate,” he said.

“There was rubbish everywhere, all over the greens. It’s really not something you like to see. I’m just glad the damage wasn’t worse and I could clean most of it up.”

Sergeant Steve Schultz of Bundaberg police said the St John Ambulance building in Mulgrave Street was also damaged.

“The window was smashed with what we think was a slingshot,” he said.

The Friendlies, a street over from the other damage, was also targeted.

“The X-ray department vehicle at the Friendlies also had its window kicked in,” Sgt Schultz said.

Police are trying to determine whether the damage and the public nuisance cases are related.

The three boys will face court in coming weeks.