This certainly is a good news story, with a very happy ending thanks to social media and a vigilant public.
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Last week the Tooley family contacted the Great Lakes Advocate asking for our help after an unknown intruder(s) broke into their Forster home and stole a collection of much treasured World War II medals.
A sum of money and jewellery also was stolen along with the locked safe which stored the items.
The family was understandably angry and stunned that a stranger would want war memorabilia which were precious mementos of a fellow family member.
Speaking on behalf of her family, Sarah Tooley pleaded for the safe returned of the items, but mostly the medals which belonged to her late grandfather.
“For many these medals hold zero significance,” Sarah said.
“However to my family and I they are irreplaceable,” she said.
“It makes me sick someone would steal medals.
“My parents and I plead for the return of the medals and urge anyone who knows anything to please contact police or even urge the person in possession of the medals to please hand them in by any means.”
The thieves broke into the house on the evening of February 17 at approximately 10.45pm.
No-one was home at the time.
After failing to gain access through two locked and secured back doors, the vandals resorted to throwing an item through the window to smash it and gain access.
Immensely proud of the grandfather she never got to chance to meet, Sarah followed her pa into the armed services joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a military working dog handler seven years ago.
Posted in Canberra, Corporal Tooley is the only member of her family to join the ADF since her grand-dad.
Sadly for Sarah and her grandfather, he never had the opportunity to see her graduate as a defence member – he died when she was just a baby.
Private Keith Tooley served in the Australian army in the 22nd Battalion, South Gippsland Regiment (Victoria).
During his service Private Tooley was posted in North Eastern Papua New Guinea.
The stolen medals included The Star (39-45), Pacific Star, *War Medal (39-45) and Australian Service Medal (39-45)
“The military lifestyle always interested me from when I was young.
“I chose military working dog handler as my career as growing up on a dairy farm as a child, I have always been very passionate about animals (especially dogs), so working with them everyday is a dream come true.”
Welcoming the return of the medals, Sarah said they meant the world to her family, which were found at second creek near Lanis Caravan Park by Gorokan visitor, Jamie Pennington just over a week after they went missing.
After sitting in salt water for a number of days, the medals have been sent away for restoration.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
