By Rowan Forster
STRUGGLING children will absorb the blow of a “heart-wrenching” theft in Gembrook on Friday, which saw a 15-foot teepee unearthed and stolen.
Sara and Graham Tretheway – who provided the canopy to students as a place to gather their thoughts, reflect and meditate – have described the theft as “devastating”.
Imported from the United States and erected on Beenak East Road, the teepee is estimated to be worth several thousand dollars.
Mrs Trethewey, who manages the Sum of Us Tuition Centre, has told the Gazette of her frustration.
“We’re just trying to help the kids so it’s quite a knock in the teeth to have it stolen from us,” she said.
“I don’t really know what somebody is going to do with it, so why take it from them.”
According to Mrs Trethewey, four-wheel drive tyre tracks were left in the reserve.
She has pleaded with the community to help her recover the teepee.
“We have a tutoring group and when the kids are lacking confidence and self-esteem we take them to the teepee so they can meditate and find their thoughts” Mrs Trethewey said.
“They absolutely love it.”
The canvas was uniquely painted and designed for Mrs Trethewey and her husband Graham, rendering it irreplaceable.
It has been described as somewhat of a “community commodity” by Gembrook residents.
“It’s absolutely appalling that somebody would stoop to such lows and take something that children enjoy,” Rhian Garner said.
“It’s like stealing a playground.”
Given the bizarre circumstances of the theft, police have advised the community to keep an eye on classifieds websites in case the canopy is listed for sale.
The couple purchased the tepee shortly after they took over operation of the 100-acre Gembrook property in 2014.
“It’s such a beautiful thing – we just hope it’s returned as soon as possible,” Mrs Trethewey said.
