Content warning: The photographs and descriptions in the following article may be disturbing to some readers.
The Rotary Club of Whittlesea stepped in to help an elderly woman in palliative care bury a decapitated deer left on her front lawn to decompose.
The Review published a report earlier this month when 84-year-old Nancy spotted a decapitated deer on her Whittlesea property, allegedly shot dead in close proximity to Nancy’s home.
With late-stage cancer, Nancy was unable to bury the deer herself, and feared for her and her neighbours’ safety while illegal hunters potentially lurked nearby.
She hoped an authoritarian organisation would be able to assist in removing or burying the animal carcass, but none were able to offer removal services.
The City of Whittlesea, Wildlife Victoria, RSPCA, the Environmental Protection Authority, EPA, and the Game Management Authority, GMA, could not assist Nancy for various reasons, including that the deer was on private property and was not a native animal.
Nancy said the carcass was left to decompose, resulting in a ‘grim’ smell and complaints from others.
When the Rotary Club of Whittlesea heard the buck had been left to rot for weeks, the club organised to visit Nancy’s residence on November 15 and bury it.
The rescue team consisted of club secretary Julie Burgess, who suggested the rescue to the club; president Michael Hall, who facilitated the rescue; and gravedigger Travis Robinson, a friend of the club, who drove a digger and buried the buck.
Mr Hall owns funeral homes in Whittlesea and Diamond Creek while Mr Robinson works as a gravedigger, providing a ‘lucky’ connection for the deer’s burial.
“We were glad to do it for Nancy, just to help out,” Mr Hall said.
“That’s what Rotary is all about – doing things for the community and raising money for the community.
“We try to do as much for the Whittlesea community as we possibly can.
“It took longer to get up there than to do the job – 10 minutes to do it, nice, easy job.”
Nancy described those at the Rotary Club as ‘gorgeous people’ and sincerely thanked them for their efforts.
“I was absolutely delighted – I couldn’t believe that there was anyone out there like that,” she said.
“I’m ever so grateful. It was an awful job to do, but they did a really wonderful job. You wouldn’t know that the deer had been there.
“It just shows what good people they are.”
Whittlesea police began patrolling the area last month in light of the suspected illegal hunters and Nancy’s concerns.
“I’m happy that at least they’re looking out for [me], it’s very hard to catch these people,” Nancy said.
“I haven’t heard any shooting since the article went in. It makes them aware.”
Mr Hall said anyone interested in joining the Rotary Club of Whittlesea was welcome to contact him on 0417 572 889 or visit the club’s Facebook page.
