The theft of a New Zealand flag from a Cromwell primary school has put a hitch in its Anzac Day commemorations.
Pupils of Goldfields Primary School want to see the return of a the flag stolen from their school. The school bought the flag for an Anzac ceremony last Thursday and planned to fly it over the two-week school holiday break.
Deputy principal Anna Harrison said the school's caretaker noticed it missing at the weekend.
‘‘It's really disappointing. We've had issues with vandalism, but our flag has never been targeted before.
''Primary schools were often a target for ‘‘petty vandalism'', she said.
‘‘Our school doesn't have fences. People often use it as a thoroughfare.''
If the flag was found it should be taken to the school office or police station, she said.
‘‘If you're a parent you might notice a child come home with a flag that wasn't there before.''
The school bought the new flag because the older one was due for replacement.
‘‘Those nylon flags get battered in the Cromwell winds.''
Cromwell Returned and Services Association president John Morton said he felt ‘‘disappointment'' about the theft.
‘‘It's a part of the service. Lowering it is symbolic of death, raising it means there is more than death.
‘‘It's particularly sad for the school, which has gone through the trouble of getting a new one.''
Mr Morton was involved in the ceremony at the school last Thursday, in which pupils laid paper wreaths they made at the base of the flagpole.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Terry, of Cromwell, said police were investigating the incident.
