As many as three vandals struck the entrance to the historic Ivyrock property in Edmonston Road in the early hours of Friday morning, removing the gateway ornaments using a ute or truck. 

Property owner Bill Bunning said the ornaments were more than 100 years old and had been part of the entrance to the original 1883 homestead. 

“Someone has been targeting our property for no good reason,” Mr Bunning said. 

“They must have used some kind of lifting thing to move them in the middle of the night – they are extremely heavy and were attached to the stonework.”

Mr Bunning said Victoria Police had been made aware of the theft but had not begun an investigation. 

Three empty beer cans were left in the area after the incident. 

Vandals have targeted the area before, but Mr Bunning said their latest attack could have lasting consequences. 

“Copies have been made of these ornaments for a public park in Ballarat but the originals can’t be replaced.” 

Anyone with information on the theft should call Ballarat Police on 5336 6000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000