Reward doubled for stolen sign

The sign in its rightful place outside the Whangarei RSA before it was stolen. Photo / Supplied

Whangarei's RSA members will never stop trying to get back a precious sign stolen from outside their clubrooms and have doubled the reward for its return.

Spokesman Kevin Peachey said when the sign was stolen on February 6, it left the members distraught and wondering why somebody would steal something so sacred from a group that represented those who sacrificed their lives to uphold our democracy and way of life.

The kauri slab with the words "Lest We Forget" has greeted visitors to the club on Rust Ave since it was bolted into place on November 11, 2001.

"The 100th anniversary of Anzac forces landing on Gallipoli in 1915 is coming up and we want it back to honour those sacrifices," Mr Peachey added.

The members initially clubbed together to offer a $500 reward from their own pockets for the sign's return, but with no joy a long-standing member of Whangarei RSA has come forward with an extra $500 to double the reward to $1000.

Club president Chris Harold said somebody must know where the sign was and the RSA wanted it back ahead of two big events coming up.

"We have two important days coming up and it would be fantastic to have the sign back in its place by then," Mr Harold said.

On March 28, the new memorial wall and resited cenotaph will be unveiled at Whangarei's Laurie Hall Park and, on April 25, Anzac Day commemorations will mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

-Anybody with information about the sign can contact the RSA on 09 443 83792 or Whangarei police on 09 430 4500. Or alternatively, the sign can be dropped off at the Advocate offices, 88 Robert St.