Ruined: Martin Duke with the remnants of Torquay’s Christmas tree decorations.
Erin Pearson
SCHOOLIES are prime suspects in the theft and destruction of $5000 worth of decorations on a public Christmas tree at Torquay, according to a community representative.
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association president Martin Duke said the lights were up “barely” 12 hours before they were torn down and their solar power panels “smashed”.
Mr Duke said he had seen “quite a lot” of school leavers celebrating under the pine tree on The Esplanade earlier in the night.
“This is the first year Torquay’s had any Christmas lights in the town so we’re devastated to see this happen,” he said.
“I came past Sunday afternoon and noticed all the wires were hanging down and solar panels broken. We believe it may have been some schoolies who got up there after 2am.”
Mr Duke and two friends spent six hours installing 5000 metres of cabled lights on the 50-metre Norfolk pine last Saturday.
“My 11-year-old daughter was in tears when she heard what happened because she was with us when we were putting the lights up,” he said.
“We won’t be putting the lights up next year, if they go up at all, when schoolies are here.”
Mr Duke said Torquay traders and the town’s Lions and Rotary clubs paid for the lights.
