Garden group ‘won’t let scarecrow vandals win’
By Tyler Winks
SPUD, the Glasshouse Mountains Community Garden’s beloved scarecrow mascot, has been found decapitated — twice — in two overnight vandal attacks that have left the community baffled.
Donated by sculptor Janelle to mark the garden’s opening, Spud was meant as a cheerful symbol; instead, his missing head has become a small local mystery.
After the first attack, volunteers rebuilt Spud with stronger metal wire and supports — a tougher “Spud 2.0” designed to withstand casual mischief. Yet only a week later the reinforced figure was ripped from the ground overnight. His head was gone again, and to add insult to injury, his torso was hurled onto the roof of a nearby picnic table.
Garden visitors have been left saddened and bemused. Volunteers say they hope whoever took the head will return it so Spud can be repaired and rehung. Janelle remains determined the scarecrow will be restored.
The community is being asked to look out for two spare heads or any sign of the missing pieces and to report sightings to the Glasshouse Mountains Community Garden.
Local resident Sue said community spirit would win in the end. “It’s sad that Spud can’t be there all the time in the community garden to put a smile on the faces of visitors and become a well-known feature at Glass House Mountains — but he needs protection,” she said.
“The GHM community thanks you Janelle for standing up. Nothing can destroy the fact that Spud is a true ambassador of all things good in the Glass House Mountains Community.”
Councillor Jenny Broderick