Susanna Freymark
Lee-Anne Burgess is upset the letterbox at the front of their Paddy’s Flat Road, property has been stolen.
“Some lowlife has stolen our letterbox,” Lee-Anne said.
This is no ordinary letterbox. It’s a metal 1.5metres high and 2metres wide sculpture.
The letterbox is a bat specially made by Jason Green as a Christmas present from Lee-Anne’s husband.
“I was a wildlife carer for over 20 years and bats were my passion. My nickname was Batty so a bat it was.”
The batty letterbox stood out on Paddy’s Flat Road near Tabulam.
“It was a fun thing and it made people smile,” Lee-Anne said.
“I’m hoping one day it returns.”
The thieves have used a chain to rip the bat letterbox out of the ground.
“They would have needed a bit of planning to have done this. I have reported the theft to the police,” she said.
Lee-Anne’s husband was at home at the time the letterbox went missing.
“He feels bad because he was supposed to be working up near the letterbox but because of the wind he was inside with the windows shut and never heard a thing.”
Lee-Anne and her husband moved to Paddy’s Flat Road from the Gold Coast.
“We never wasted money on silly things, but this was something that was supposed to last a lifetime.
“I spent so many years raising and looking after wildlife (all out of my own and my family’s pocket) that it was just second nature to the family.
Dinners were late because of animal rescues, Lee-Anne said.
“Police ringing at 2am with an injured echidna that had burrowed through a cardboard box and is now in the back seat of the cop car, in my driveway, or other fun anecdotes.
“The bat isn’t just a letterbox, it’s me.”
If anyone has information, contact Casino police.
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