A picnic table at Cocora Beach, built and funded as a joint community project between the Eden Services and Social Club (ESSCI), the Eden Men’s Shed and Bega Valley Shire Council, was stolen last week.

The table was bolted onto a concrete slab just weeks before the theft.

Jim Chenhall, chairman of volunteer organisation ESSCI, said they had funded the table’s construction, laid the concrete slab and provided the bolts, while the Men’s Shed had laboured to put the table together.

The two organisations had organised the project to ensure the table was ready before the busy Christmas period.

“It’s in a park for locals and visitors alike to use,” Mr Chenhall said.

“It’s really disappointing to see that someone thought they needed the table more than the town did.

“The little money we make from our chocolate wheel at late night shopping... goes back into the town, we fund projects like this,” he said.

Jack Dickenson, of the Eden Men’s Shed, said the morale of the men had been shaken by the theft.

“We were delighted about how the table was being used down there,” Mr Dickenson said.

“It really makes your stomach churn - these are mostly blokes in their 70s that put this table together.

“When they see something finished it gives them a feeling of fulfilment, and acts like this just put a dampener on it.”

The theft appears to have been well planned. The table would have required several people to lift and move it, plus the tools necessary to remove the bolts and a vehicle to transport it afterwards.

A replacement table is currently being constructed by the Men’s Shed, with funding again taken from ESSCI’s pocket.

“We’ve just finished building several tables to send down to regions affected by the Victorian bushfires,” Mr Dickenson said.

“So now this table is top of our priority list.”

Mayor Tony Allen, appalled by the theft, said it was not too late for the situation to be resurrected by those at fault.

“I hope at least one of the culprits develops a conscience and returns the picnic table or lets someone know where it can be found,” Cr Allen said.

“So many people put in enormous effort to make our shire a better place to live and to visit, it is heartbreaking to see their hard work undermined by a few idiots,” he said.

The whereabouts of the table can be reported to Police, ESSCI or the Eden Men’s Shed.

One who didn’t get away...

A 25 year-old Eden male was caught stealing a fishing rod from an Eden caravan park on January 7.

He was apprehended by park residents and held until police arrived and will appear in Eden Local Court later this month.