A volunteer-run junior basketball club in Deloraine says it will be left more than $1,000 out of pocket again after its vending machine was smashed in a break-in, the second in four months.
Deloraine Storm Basketball Club registrar Tash Atkins said someone broke a glass panel in the front door of the council-owned community complex around 1:30am on Monday.
Once inside, they smashed the vending machine and took stock.
Police went to the complex yesterday and said they were investigating the reported burglary.
Atkins said the break-in was almost identical to one four months ago, when drinks, chips and lollies were taken.
This time, skid marks were left out the front. She said they appeared to have been made by a motorbike or e-scooter.
The club paid more than $1,000 for repairs after the first break-in and expects a similar bill this time.
Atkins said the lost stock and the time the machine could not be used would add to the cost, on top of repairing the damage.
“We try and keep our costs as low as possible for kids,” she told Pulse.
Although the building is council-owned, Atkins said the vending machine belonged to the club and was bought with a grant and a donation from Bendigo Bank.
The club had around 160 junior players last season.
Atkins said police told the club the first case would likely be closed because there were no cameras.
She said the council had previously allowed the club to have its own cameras only inside the kiosk and she had raised the issue with the council again on Monday.
“I have been in chats with them again … and I’ve said cameras have to happen,” she said.
Atkins said the council had put cameras at Prospect Park and asked: “Why aren’t we good enough for them?”
She said there had also been other vandalism nearby, including graffiti on the squash courts and damage at the pony club and a local pharmacy.
In a social media post, the club said the damage was “not only senseless and disrespectful, but also incredibly dangerous”.
Atkins said those responsible needed to “pull their heads in”.
The club has urged people to come forward if they know who is responsible.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police and quote ESCAD 2-12102026.
