Low blow for school market

Signs advertising a community market set up to help raise funds for the Newhaven Primary School were stolen on the weekend.

The five signs were put up around Newhaven and San Remo on Thursday afternoon around 5.30pm, in preparation for the Saturday market, but when market organiser Felicity Ashman arrived to set up at 4.30am on Saturday morning, all the signs were gone.

She said the signs were still in place at 11pm on Friday night, but were removed in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“It’s pretty nasty, given that we are trying to build a community market to benefit the school,” said Felicity, who described it as an orchestrated attack.

“We think it’s pretty low.”

Although the market is run by Urban Market, a private company, a percentage of the money goes to the school.

Leading Senior Constable Julian Wildenberg from San Remo police said the theft was being investigated and police were checking CCTV footage from neighbouring businesses.

“There were five signs at five separate locations, so if anyone in the community saw or knows something, please contact us.”

It was only the second market that had been held on the school grounds, as part of a new fundraising approach.

Jennifer Carroll from the Newhaven Primary School fundraising committee was shocked to learn the signs had been removed.

“I’m not sure what kind of person would do such a thing, particularly since these markets are all about raising money for our school.”

Both Felicity and Jennifer have been moved by the support from the community.

“Print It Fast in San Remo has generously offered to assist us in replacing the signs, which is wonderful, given the circumstances,” said Jennifer.

Felicity said if the aim was to stop the market from succeeding, taking the signs had the opposite effect.

“All it has done is galvanise the local support for us,” she said.

“We’ve had fantastic support from local community and about 3000 people attended on Saturday.”

Market goes on

The Newhaven Primary School market will run every Saturday in January at Newhaven Primary School (12-22 School Avenue), from 9am until 2pm.

From February it will run on the first Saturday of every month.

Felicity said this week’s market is expected to be bigger than ever.

“Last week we had 38 stallholders and we expect around 40-45 stallholders this week.

“It’s a good, open market, with a bit of everything. We have eggs, honey, a few farmers market stalls, a sushi van, dumplings, coffee and snacks. There’s everything from jewellery and candles through to garden tools and ladies’ fashion.”

She said there was a growing number of local stalls taking part as well.

“If you’re interested in having a stall, let me know. We’d love to have more.”

Look for the signs

The five missing signs were placed at separate locations.

• Nature Strip outside the Post Office in San Remo between the main road and car park.
• Just before Forrest Road, on the left-hand side as you come over the bridge.
• Nature strip outside Westernport Water
• Intersection of Cleeland Street and Boys Home Road
• Forrest Avenue and Cleeland Street intersection.

There were two 1200 x 900mm signs and three 900 x 600mm signs. Five 10kg weight bags holding the signs in place were also taken.

Felicity said if anyone knew where the signs were, they could return them to the school grounds.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the San Remo police on 5678 5500, call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to Crimestoppers.com.au.