Community
28 February, 2025
Trespassing wave leaves residents concerned
RESIDENTS are banding together to keep watch over their gardens following community concerns surrounding the theft of home-grown produce.
Camperdown residents have taken to social media in recent weeks documenting large amounts of produce being taken from trees in people’s yards, and produce out of their home gardens, across Camperdown.
Among those concerned was Robyn Morgan, who posted on Facebook after one of her mother’s nectarine trees was completely cleared.
She said her idea to reach out to the community began a few weeks ago when her mother informed her of the theft.
“I asked her what she meant, and she said she was going to go out and pick them (her nectarines), but her whole tree had been cleared right off,” Ms Morgan said.
“The only nectarines that were still on the tree were the few hanging over the neighbour’s fence.
“She said it’s not birds and it’s not possums because there’s no mess at all – not a skerrick left on the ground, and if it was you’d see the evidence.
“We talked about it and I thought it’s not right – Mum has worked in foster care since I was a teenager, and I am 56.”
Two weeks following the phone call, Ms Morgan put up the post and was stunned with the response from the Camperdown community.
Residents reported fruit disappearing from their trees and gardens in Bowen Street, Scott Street, Campbell Street, Camperdown-Lismore Road and Dowling Street – the Camperdown and District Community House’s community garden beds were also struck.
“It snowballed from there. So many people had issues,” Ms Morgan said.
“What’s amazing is it isn’t just a little bit of fruit going missing – they’re taking the whole lot. It’s so wrong, it’s so disrespectful, and it’s a little bit scary because these people’s yards are being invaded.
“I rang my Mum a few days later and asked her if she had seen the community page because it’s happening everywhere.
“The community were great – they said people could be taking it because they are in need – which is a possibility – to resell it, to preserve fruit.
“There were so many possibilities and reasons for it.”
Community reports of when the produce was being stolen varied, with some commenters stating they had seen suspicious people in the areas where produce was disappearing.
Ms Morgan said she was concerned for the community, particularly elder residents who lived on their own, as their private property was being trespassed on.
“It’s more for community awareness – it’s really concerning,” she said.
“Out in the country, you don’t expect to have to keep an eye out for that.
“I thought, of all people, if somebody had asked, she (my mother) would have gladly given them some.
“She would have given them the shirt off her back – she’s very community-minded and helps people out in the community who do live on their own.
“If somebody needs help, the community is always there, which is fantastic to see.”
Read More: Camperdown