A theft has left Gabriele Tirabassi devastated.
The Werribee Men’s Shed member is appealing for information after his metal statue of the Eiffel Tower was stolen from the Wyndham Park Community Centre.
The 183-centimetre, 40-kilogram statue was built by Mr Tirabassi in 2012 and had been on display in a locked room at the community centre ever since.
But about three weeks ago, a council officer discovered it was missing after visiting the centre to fetch the statue to include it in an exhibition of Mr Tirabassi’s work.
Mr Tirabassi said no one knew exactly when the statue was stolen, adding that the last time someone remembers seeing it was 10 weeks ago.
“I was devastated when I found out it was missing,” he said. “It was in a room that was supposed to be locked all the time. It’s very heartbreaking to have it stolen just as the council said they were going to display it.”
The statue, which has flashing lights on the top, was built to commemorate Mr Tirabassi’s trip to Paris with his wife.
He has a larger version of the statue at home.
The theft has been reported to the police. Anyone with information is being urged to phone Werribee police on 9742 9444.
