Russell Wiadrowski, 88, awoke last Thursday to find his beautiful garden destroyed by vandals. “I felt like I’d been kicked in the teeth,” he said.By Paul Dunlop
RUSSELL Wiadrowski’s garden usually brings him nothing but joy.
But the 88yearold Pakenham man was devastated last week when his labour of love was ruined by a wanton attack of vandalism.
Police are investigating the attack that they said was part of a growing trend of ‘mindless’ antisocial behaviour that is proving extremely frustrating for authorities and residents.
Mr Wiadrowski and wife Dulcie were asleep when the painstakinglynurtured trees, shrubs and flowers were ripped up and strewn around the lawn of their Snodgrass Street home.
A former orchardist, Mr Wiadrowski is deaf and has only partial eyesight.
He said his heart sank when he pulled the blinds for his daily weather check on Thursday morning.
“I could see something on the lawn. I went outside and it was my plants. They were everywhere,” Mr Wiadrowski said.
“I felt like I’d been kicked in the teeth.
“Gardening is all I can do now. I can’t read anymore, I can’t watch TV because I don’t hear very well and my wife is not all that good either. I was not very impressed.”
Mr Wiadrowski said it was the second time in as many months that his garden had been damaged.
He believed the vandals must have been armed with a knife or similarly sharp object as ties binding a large cherry tree to stakes were slashed before the tree was ripped out of the ground.
“They must have been big strong buggers,” he said.
“It was a big, beautiful tree, not easy to pull up. They did a good job on my weeping roses too, they were pulled out as well.”
Pansies were also ripped out.
Damage was also done to other gardens in the latenight spree.
Neighbour Kate HermonAshe said it was terrible to think how thoughtless some people could be.
“This would be heartbreaking for Russell, he loves his garden,” she said.
“Pakenham is not the old country town it used to be. It’s just a mindless act of vandalism, it’s very disappointing,” she said.
Mrs HermonAshe said she had previously had washing taken from her clothesline and her husband’s motorbike was stolen.
Mr Wiadrowski’s daughterinlaw Annette said he loved gardening.
“Wherever he and Dulcie have lived over the years, the garden has sprung up around them. He prides himself on having a good show, all year round,” she said.
“Gardening has kept him going and now somebody comes and does this.”
Anybody with any information is urged to contact Pakenham Police.
>>> Is vandalism or graffiti a problem in your street? Phone the Gazette on 5945 0621.
