An Ulverstone photographer has had her studio broken into and ransacked while she was in Hobart supporting her daughter through a life-threatening medical crisis.
Melainne Kelly has spent the past 10 weeks by her daughter Olivia’s side as she recovers from injuries suffered in April following a routine keyhole surgery that went catastrophically wrong.
Olivia, a singer, model and vintage clothing business owner, was admitted to North West Regional Hospital for keyhole surgery to remove a cyst on her ovary.
During the procedure, her aorta – the main artery in her abdomen – was severed.
While the family’s attention was focused on Olivia’s recovery, someone allegedly broke into Kelly’s photography studio on Reibey Street in Ulverstone, stealing property and causing extensive damage.
Kelly’s husband discovered the mess on Saturday when he visited the studio.
He walked upstairs to find belongings scattered around and internal doors smashed.
Kelly said jewellery and cameras were among the items taken, though she will not know the full extent until she returns and goes through everything herself.
“Not my really good cameras, thank goodness, they’re at home,” she told Pulse.
Beyond the theft, the intruders caused what Kelly described as senseless destruction, throwing paint and coffee throughout the space and attempting to start a fire.
The break-in is believed to have occurred on the Friday night, but the scale of damage suggests the intruders spent a significant amount of time inside.
“We thought initially my husband’s like, ‘Well, were they actually like staying there for a few days and stuff?’ But from what we can gather from others around, they think it was quite a short period of time but they did a lot of damage,” Kelly said.
The studio sits above a barber shop in Ulverstone’s business district and the break-in is believed to have happened after closing hours.
Kelly, who has run her photography business specialising in women’s portraiture and fine art for 12 years, said the experience felt deeply personal.
“It feels quite violating … that’s my safe space and that’s my baby really, my studio is,” she said.
Police have been contacted and CCTV footage has been submitted to investigators.
Despite the ordeal, Kelly said the community response had been overwhelming, with people offering to help clean up and showing support.
“Puts your faith back in to people after something like this has happened,” she said.
“There’s still really good people out there and that’s been lovely.”
Kelly is asking anyone with information to contact police, who confirmed the matter had been reported and is being investigated.
