HELPING HAND: Wangarang general manager Kevin McGuire with Bob Jane assistant manager Matt Federici who supplied and fitted new wheels after thieves targeted a car used to transport Wangarang workers. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 1011sgwang1
FOR the third time in a year Wangarang Industries’ Barrett Court facility was broken into yesterday morning with thieves taking three wheels from one of the cars it uses to transport workers.
Thieves gained entry by cutting a large hole in the rear cyclone fencing of the facility where Wangarang employees undertake refrigerator assembly work for Electrolux.
The vehicle targeted by the thieves is used by Wangarang as a crew car to transport employees to off-site job locations in and around Orange where they undertake contract work including commercial cleaning and gardening.
Wangarang general manager Kevin McGuire said the theft affected the daily operations of the organisation that provides employment and vocational training for people with disabilities
“As a community service and a charitable organisation providing support for people with disabilities, this theft is a very low act,” he said.
“Apart from the financial cost of the break-in and the disruption to our work, an incident like this is very upsetting to our workers.”
Mr McGuire said his organisation was happy to learn the “very generous people” from Orange’s Bob Jane T-Mart provided four new wheels and tyres at cost price and a short time after the theft had fitted them to the car.
“I’d like to thank Matt and the team at Bob Jane T-Mart for their generosity in helping us get our work crews back on the road as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Despite the negativity of such an incident, the willingness of a local business to help out in this way really does show just how much support there is in the local community for Wangarang and our employees.”
About a year ago two outdoor settings, including tables and chairs, were also stolen and less than a week later an outdoor bench seat was also taken.
tracey.prisk@ruralpress.com
