It was a week of highs and lows for five mates from Echuca when they experienced both the good and bad within society.
They received new fishing rods after theirs were stolen on Wednesday, January 3, while they were fishing.
The boys, Will Heward, Ned Kilborn, Jack Schroeder, Charlie Voss and Ethan Murphy, were gutted when they realised the rods were stolen from beside a creek where they had just caught 15 carp.
However, the boys were thrilled with the generous replacement of the rods.
Jack was overwhelmed when he received the new rods from Tackle World store owner John Brasher.
“Thank you for the new rods, John. We really appreciate them and look forward to catching more carp,” he said.
The boys had been fishing along a creek when they headed off to get more bait.
When they returned, the rods were missing.
“A few of the boys broke down and had a few tears in our eyes,” Jack said.
Frustrated, the boys even asked one another what was happening in the world.
“We’ve learned that if we have any personal items in public, to not take your eyes off them,” Jack said.
Mr Brasher, passionate about fishing, leapt to support the boys with new rods.
“I thought it was essential to support the younger generation who love fishing,” he said.
“The boys were out there doing the right thing and people come along looking to do something terrible.”
Tackle World is a small independent business, but Mr Brasher said the decision to help was easy.
“It was a no-brainer. The kids are the people we want supporting our local business and shopping local,” he said.
“We were happy to support the young men with the Beefstick bait-casting combos and two Shimano spinning reels that the boys lost so they can keep fishing.”
Local electrician and footy coach Dale Reyne, who coached the boys in the under-14s at Echuca United last year, had told the boys about the fishing spot.
“The boys are good mates with my son Cody, and they asked where they could go to catch some carp,” he said.
“I told them about a spot by one of the creeks. Unfortunately, their rods were stolen by some unsavoury people.”
“We have left the matter in the hands of the police now, so hopefully they will get to the bottom of what happened,” Mr Reyne said.
Mr Reyne contacted Mr Brasher, who was only too happy to provide free replacements.