On Wednesday, November 19, Mr Hogan’s father sent him a white box full of Christmas presents and irreplaceable sentimental items via Australia Post’s Express Post service.

According to Mr Hogan, Australia Post records show the item was dropped at his Nunns Avenue address at around 8.15am, however he didn’t realise it was missing until he returned home at 4.15pm that day.

The box contained a number of Christmas presents, including a mobile phone, as well as sentimental items from his grandparents, including inexpensive jewellery and a cigarette box his grandfather brought back from World War I.

“These were things we were going to pass down to our kids,” Mr Hogan said.

“Basically they’re family heirlooms.”

Mr Hogan said he’d try not to let the “low act” ruin his festive celebrations but couldn’t  believe anyone would be so brazen as to take the box from his yard in daylight hours.

Mr Hogan’s house has no front fence, so he can’t understand why the parcel was left on his porch in the first place.

“This is not a safe drop, the whole front of the house is visible,” he said.

Mr Hogan said he was also unsure why the delivery person didn’t obtain a signature from someone at the house before leaving the item.

“I thought if they didn’t get a signature, they’d take it back to the post office,” he said.

Mr Hogan has lodged a claim for the lost package, but because it was not insured he expects to receive only around $50 in compensation, despite the goods being valued at around $700.

While Mr Hogan said he was initially angry about the theft, now he was just disappointed.

“The financial value is not such a big thing, it’s the loss of the things that are irreplaceable,” he said.

“The person who took this knew it was likely to contain Christmas stuff.”

Mr Hogan said he’d like the sentimental goods returned to him or handed in to police.

Canobolas Local Area Command duty officer Peter Atkins said people needed to practise extra caution when expecting a parcel at this time of year.

“If you know something’s coming talk to someone who’s trusted and ask them to collect the parcel for you,” Inspector Atkins said.

“Try not to leave parcels unattended for days.

“Also plan ahead when you know you’re going to work or be away for extended periods of time.”

tracey.prisk.@fairfaxmedia.com.au