Museum theft raises fears for family heirlooms

The family of Aramoana survivor Helen Dickson is warning others to "think carefully" before donating precious items to small museums, after the rare George Medal awarded for Mrs Dickson's bravery went missing from the Port Chalmers Museum.

Police believe the medal, estimated to be worth at least $50,000, was stolen and returned when the heat went on.

Last seen in a cupboard in the museum office, several searches over 18 months failed to locate it, said Port Chalmers police officer Senior Constable Phil Beckwith.

The medal mysteriously reappeared in the museum office in January. "We think someone took it for themselves, then panicked and returned it."

The medal was presented to Mrs Dickson for her actions during the 1990 Aramoana tragedy when gunman David Gray shot and killed 13 people. When Gray was still on the loose, she left her house, helped her wounded neighbour Chris Cole, who later died from his injuries, rang emergency services and kept in touch with police throughout the night.

Mrs Dickson died in 2007 and her family gave the medal to the museum on long-term loan four months later.

Family spokeswoman Kris Smith said there was no record of the medal having been received, even though the family had a copy of the loan agreement. The museum's acquisitions register had not been filled in, the medal had not been catalogued, and there was no record of where it was stored.

The acquisition was not recorded in society's minutes and members of the executive did not know it had been lent to the museum until she told them. Museum security was lax, Ms Smith said. "Anyone could walk in there and walk out with anything."

Port Chalmers Historical Society president John Neilson said he was "as disappointed as anyone" about what had happened.

THE MEDALS

* The George Cross and the George Medal are the highest gallantry awards available to civilians.
* They are also awarded to military personnel for acts of outstanding courage while not in battle.
* Instigated in 1940; replaced in 1999 by New Zealand Cross and New Zealand Bravery Star.

Source: New Zealand Defence Force

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES