Carol Neal was out of town for a week when her brother-in-law called her to say her house had been broken into. Someone had entered through a small window, stealing a bravery medal awarded to her son Hamish.
"I came home early because I just knew it had been taken. I had that horrible feeling," she said.
Hamish was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Medal posthumously in 2005, for attempting to rescue a classmate from drowning in 2000.
On February 10, 2000, 15-year-old Hamish was on a school trip to the Waihao River, near Waimate, where he lived with his mother.
While swimming in the river at a point known as the "Black Hole", fellow Waimate High School pupil Glenn Jopson (13) got into trouble and sank beneath the surface. Hamish swam to him and attempted to pull him to safety.
Hamish was unsuccessful and was instead pulled down with Glenn. Both boys drowned.
The pair were members of a special class for children with learning and behavioural difficulties.
Miss Neal said the loss of her only child 12 years ago was traumatic, and the theft of his bravery medal had brought back the pain and loss.
"I just want my son's medal back; it belongs to no-one else."
Senior Constable Tom Taylor said the medal was taken from a drawer in Miss Neal's bedroom between April 12 and 20.
He urged anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, or had information about the medal's whereabouts, to contact Balclutha police on (03) 418-0203.
"Hamish Everett Neal" is engraved around the edge of the medal, which was kept in a blue leather box.
Tobacco was also taken from the house, but Miss Neal only wants her son's medal returned.
"Just please give it back. It can't be replaced."
