General News
14 January, 2026
Camp ruined: Stuart Mill block targeted, family loses 15k of memories
“As soon as we opened the door, all of our belongings were just thrown everywhere. It was crazy."
FOR JUST over a decade, Abisheck Verma and his young family have enjoyed travelling to their Stuart Mill property to camp.
But after $15,000 worth of equipment and memories was stolen from there over the Christmas/New Year period, they may never camp again.
“It was supposed to be our two-year-old’s first camping trip and we couldn’t go,” Mr Verma said.
“It was very disappointing.”
The Verma family visited their block on January 1 and they could see the damage as they drove in.
“We could see that the door was open a little bit, someone had used a crow bar or something to open the shipping container,” Mr Verma said.
“There was no dust or anything inside, so we knew it was pretty fresh.
“As soon as we opened the door, all of our belongings were just thrown everywhere.
“It was crazy.”
Mr Verma said they contacted police, who arrived on scene the next day before coming back to take finger prints. It was then that Mr Verma was able to assess the damage and what had been taken.
The $15,000 worth of damage and theft included a missing lot of power and hand tools (chainsaw, auger, drills and more), camping equipment including a six-person tent, kids toys, clothing and a range of other personal belongings.
“We also noticed that they took the PS4 that was also there,” Mr Verma said.
“We contacted our insurance who said we aren’t covered, so we can’t afford to replace it all.
“We’ll probably never be able to camp there again. We’re devastated.”
Mr Verma said he enjoyed the area around Stuart Mill and St Arnaud, especially the neighbours surrounding the 20 acre block.
“There’s so many nice people around and we know we can trust them with our things,” he said.
“Now we just don’t know.
“It’s not like we just bought the block during COVID, we travel from Melbourne to escape and support the area.”
Mr Verma said St Arnaud police were investigating, but had not provided an update on the situation at that stage. And while he thought it may be no use, he pleas with the thief/thieves to return some of his most precious items.
“Games and equipment can be purchased again, but we can’t remake the memories,” Mr Verma said.
“We really just want our kid’s paintings and school reports and everything back, that’s all we want.”
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
Read More: St Arnaud