IT was an original feature of the historic Croagh Patrick building, but the cast iron fountain is there no more and OCTEC has appealed for its return.
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According to police, the fountain was stolen from the front of the Park Street property sometime between 5pm on Friday and 7.30am on Monday.
Only the concrete base remains.
The cast iron part of the fountain was key to its operation, with the water flowing from the very top.
It is believed to have been designed by John Hale, given its resemblance to his fountain in Robertson Park.
OCTEC chief executive Andrew McDougall said he couldn’t believe the fountain had gone and was “pretty damn disappointed”.
“It’s very, very heavy and it would have taken at least two men to move it, so you can imagine the surprise,” he said.
“It’s not something you can buy off the shelf somewhere.
“We had restored the fountain and we’ve invested significantly in Croagh Patrick over the years – it’s taken away from the integrity of the building.”
Police encouraged residents with information to contact Orange Police Station on 6363 6399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Mr McDougall was happy for them to contact OCTEC directly and the organisation had offered a reward, given the only other option was to have a replica fountain made by a specialised foundry in Wagga Wagga.
“We just want to get it back because it’s the original,” he said.
“Someone must know something.”
He said security fencing was a priority for OCTEC into the future.
Croagh Patrick currently serves as OCTEC’s youth services and training centre, but it was built in 1883 for the Lane family and was originally named Llanello.
It was sold in 1914 to the Patrician Brothers for a novitiate before it became an orphanage for boys in 1928.
The orphanage was first run by the Daughters of Charity from 1928 to 1969, followed by the Sisters of Mercy from 1969.
Former child residents had contacted the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to have their stories heard, alleging children were regularly beaten.
Since then, the building passed through Kinross Wolaroi School’s ownership before it went to OCTEC.
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