A stolen propeller from a South Coast war memorial has sparked a growing community search effort, with possible sightings as far north as Newcastle and police now involved in the investigation.
The propeller, which forms part of the RSL Culburra Beach Orient Point war memorial, is understood to have been taken last month.
It plays a significant role in commemorative services, including Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Culburra Beach Orient Point RSL Sub-Branch president Darryn Jose has reported the theft to police while also appealing publicly for information, with community members quickly sharing possible leads online.
“A group of people in (possibly) a small truck visited the Culburra Beach War Memorial, removing a plaque and stealing the memorial’s DC3 Dakota propeller. Not an easy task, noting the size and weight of the propeller,” Mr Jose wrote on Facebook.
Senior external communications manager Barton Zaia said the loss had deeply affected the local community and prompted a wider search effort.
“This propeller is significant to the community with it featuring in important war memorial and Remembrance Day ceremonies,” Mr Zaia said.
He said Mr Jose had been working closely with police while also encouraging the public to come forward with any information.
Mr Zaia said online posts about the theft had already attracted strong engagement, including several claimed sightings north of Sydney.
One of those possible sightings was raised by aviation enthusiast Halden Boyd, who said he received information suggesting the propeller may have been seen in Hexham, near Newcastle.
“Not sure if I saw your actual prop but I was in Hexham near Newcastle at McDonald’s on Tuesday 7th April at approx 12pm and noticed a similar 3 blade prop on the back of a Ute parked in the MacDonalds car park,” the message shared by Mr Boyd read.
Mr Boyd later said he had alerted the RSL sub-branch to the possible sighting and encouraged police to examine CCTV footage from the area.
The propeller is believed to be from a DC-3 Dakota, a rugged military transport aircraft originally designed in the US in 1935 by the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Known in military service as the C-47 Skytrain or Dakota, it played a major role in Second World War operations, including troop transport and supply drops across multiple theatres of war.
The aircraft was widely used by the Royal Australian Air Force for more than 50 years in roles ranging from operational missions to training and VIP transport, with some still flying around the world today.
Mr Boyd said he would also contact aviation museums to check whether the item had been offered for sale or transfer, given his connections within the aviation community.
Police are continuing inquiries, with community members hopeful CCTV footage from the Hexham area can assist in identifying those responsible and recovering the stolen propeller.
