ORANGE resident Tully Richards left his car unlocked for only 30 minutes on Tuesday night and during that time thieves ransacked his vehicle and stole a bushman’s knife that belonged to his late father.
Mr Richards says while the knife is of very little financial value to anyone wanting to resell it, it’s irreplaceable to him.
“It’s of great sentimental value to me,” Mr Richards said.
“It’s got a timber and brass handle with a fold out blade.”
Mr Richards says he’s hoping someone who knows the thief will feel empathy for him and return the knife by depositing it in the mail box of the house where his white four-wheel-drive was parked, close to Duntryleague Golf Club.
“When my father passed away the knife came to me, it was well made and something I was hoping to pass on to my son,” he said.
“It’s one of the few thing I actually have from dad so there’s a lot of sentiment attached to it.”
Mr Richards said the knife was made in the US in around the 1970s or 1980s.
“If it was brand new it might be worth about $100 or $150 but it’s not worth a great deal now, secondhand it wouldn’t fetch much.”
Mr Richards said whoever stole the knife probably didn’t realise its importance.
“It’s a low act, who ever took it had no consideration of what things are worth to people,” he said.
“I just hope they have a change of heart and bring it back to me.
“[Going to the Central Western Daily] is a long shot but it’s better than doing nothing.”
The knife handle is around 10cm long and the blade is 8cm and was stolen between 8pm and 8.30pm.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
