Families devastated after 45 plaques stolen from cemetery

Police investigating after 45 plaques stolen from Aberdare cemeteryBy Helen ClareBy Keely JohnsonABC NewcastleTopic:VandalismPosted Thu 8 Oct 2026 at 11:52amThu 8 Oct 2026 at 11:52amMore than 40 plaques were stolen from a cemetery at Aberdare, Cessnock. (ABC Newcastle: Helen Clare)In short:More than 40 plaques have been stolen from a lawn cemetery at Aberdare, in the NSW Hunter Valley.Family members say they are "hurt" and "angry" that the plaques have been removed from the cremation plots. What's next?Police say officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District are investigating the incident. Families are devastated by the theft of more than 40 memorial plaques from a lawn cemetery in the NSW Hunter Valley.NSW Police said the plaques were taken from a cemetery at Aberdare, near Cessnock, sometime between 5pm on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday. Bellbird man Gary Griffiths said he lost his wife only a year ago and was "devastated" to see her plaque missing."That plaque was a recognition of my wife," he said."I'm up here daily sitting with my wife and I clean it, I polish it and that's just been taken away."I can't comprehend that anybody in their own right could come into a cemetery and do this."The ABC understands 45 plaques have been taken from the cemetery. Gary Griffiths visits his wife's plaque daily and was devastated to find it had been stolen. (ABC Newcastle: Helen Clare)$1,000 reward offeredMr Griffiths said he put a call-out on social media, offering a reward if his wife's plaque was returned. "I'm one of two people that have put up a $1,000 reward to try and get this back," he said. "I don't hold much hope in that, but it's worth a try."Cessnock woman Janice Musgrove said she was heartbroken to find her son's plaque had been stolen. "I was up here yesterday crying my eyes out when I found out about this," she said. "I feel very, very angry and very hurt."Natalie McIntosh says the plaque on her son's cremation plot is missing. (ABC Newcastle: Helen Clare)Police investigatingIn a statement, NSW Police said officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District were investigating the incident. Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said a war memorial plaque was also stolen from a park in Cessnock. "It's just disgusting," Mr Repacholi said. "Someone going around and stealing the brass and bronze plaques from grave sites is utterly disgusting."Loved ones are hurt and angry after the incident. (ABC Newcastle: Helen Clare)Police have urged anyone with information to report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.