Mystery grips village after 'priceless' trophy fleeced from museum
For years, a prestigious trophy that represented Australia's ties to Italian high fashion took pride of place in a Tasmanian museum. But it is now missing after a 'targeted' overnight robbery.
In a quiet and picturesque village in Tasmania's Midlands, a bizarre and brazen robbery has taken place.
A renowned trophy has been stolen from the Tasmanian Wool Centre in Ross in a late-night smash and grab caught on CCTV.
The robbery was caught on the centre's CCTV cameras. (Supplied: Tasmanian Wool Centre)
The theft happened close to midnight. (Supplied: Tasmanian Wool Centre)
The thief left with the trophy and its wooden case after being unable to remove the trophy from the case. (Supplied: Tasmanian Wool Centre)
The prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna Trophy was the only item taken from the centre, which houses a museum and gift shop, and is a popular stop for tourists along the Midland Highway.
The theft is the talk of the village.
The prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna was on display in the Tasmanian Wool Centre at Ross before it was stolen. (Supplied: Tasmanian Wool Centre)
The centre's general manager, Jessica Newton, recalls getting a "terrible" phone call about the robbery one night in December.
"I couldn't believe it," she said.
"I kept thinking … did that really happen? Was it a dream, or nightmare?"
Tasmanian Wool Centre manager Jessica Newton is shocked by the trophy's theft. (ABC News: Hayden Smith)
For decades, the "Zegna" trophy has represented the strong ties between premium Tasmanian wool and Italian high fashion.
From 1963 to 2008, it was awarded to the best superfine merino fleece, and considered among the world's most coveted wool industry trophies.