They say it comes in threes.
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A family has desperately put up a reward for the return of sentimental items stolen from a Mount Austin home.
Carmel Norton's husband Wayne died suddenly 40 years into their marriage last September at the age of 64.
The upcoming anniversary of his death, the first Father's Day the family will spend without their father this Sunday, and the theft of his items have stripped them of cherished stories that each piece told.
Thieves broke in Friday night and stole what they could: a watch he inherited from his father, a gold ring Carmel gave him one year into their relationship almost half a century ago, men's silver ring, a Canon camera and SIM card, a gold fob chain he gave Carmel for her 50th birthday.
Rings Carmel inherited from her mother - two gold with diamonds and one gold with sapphire - were also taken.
Thieves took Christmas presents, food, a scooter, two televisions and anything else they could pack into a suitcase they also snatched.
But it's the sentimental items that have rocked the family.
"We don't care about the things we can replace, it's just the sentimental things you can't replace," Carmel's eldest daughter Megan Norton said.
"We don't care about the things we can replace, it's just the sentimental things you can't replace."
- Megan Norton
"We don't have anything left of his.
"He'd take the shirt of his back for anyone."
Wayne was a highly respected footballer and worked at Kapooka Army Base as an electrician for 20 years.
The family also lost their youngest daughter Sarah 10 years ago when she died from pulmonary hypertension after giving birth aged 22.
"Since we lost our sister, he has been our rock," Megan said.
Her treasured jewellery box was also stolen.
Carmel returned home Saturday morning to find the spring on the door half off.
Cupboards and drawers were open, emptied sympathy cards sprawled across her bed.
"Twenty-two years I've been here and nothing," she said.
"I just cried and cried.
"They took Christmas presents, a leg of ham in the freezer, eggs, coffee, wine in the fridge.
"They've opened every drawer and taken what they could, a TV, Xbox, games, my Dyson vacuum cleaner."
But Carmel just wants the sentimental items returned.
"I just hope with all my heart someone would have the decency to return everything.
"The sentimental things (is what we want back), I don't care about anything else.
"They just have no idea how much this has upset me.
"It's just like a part of you has gone."
STOLEN
- Men's silver watch
- Men's gold ring with orange stone
- Men's silver engraved ring
- Two ladies gold rings with small diamonds in each
- A ladies gold and sapphire ring
If you have any information about these items, please call 0403 202 577 or 0403 411 590.
Source: The Daily Advertiser