Unfortunately the trusting community members are unsure of exactly when they went missing, although believe it must have been last Saturday night May 13.

Treasurer of the Historical Society Margaret Cullen said that because the fence is about to be replaced they thought someone had taken the old gates to “straighten them and fix them up so they would look good with the new fence,” however it turns out that is not the case.

“The gates are over one hundred years old, and came from the Long Arm property – they were donated to the museum by the Capel family 40 years ago,” she said.

“They are made of real steel so would have been heavy, and someone has had to take the hinge off one side, so they came prepared.” 

“They don't mean anything to those who have taken them but they are part of Barraba's history, and belong to the community.” 

While Mrs Cullen believes the gates are too recognisable to be kept locally, and might already be spray painted and being used as an ornament or garden gate somewhere else, she is urging those people to have some heart and return them, even if they do it anonymously.

“We have made a police report, although haven’t heard back from them yet at all,” she said.

“The fact is they are gone, and we want them back.

“They will be very difficult to replace because gates like that are hard to find, and we don’t just want to go and get new gates from a shop or something like that.

“It is very disappointing.” 

Anyone with any information is urged to contact President Michael Clinch.