By SALONEE MISTRY

A human skeleton model has been stolen from a local sports injury clinic in a targeted burglary. 

The model, named ‘Oscar’, has been missing from the Eltham Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries Clinic (EPSI) since early August, where it had been part of the furniture for more than 20 years. 

Oscar was stolen from the Eltham clinic’s second storey balcony where he had been secured with metal chains. 

Clinic manager, Broderick Lin, said Oscar had been at the business for longer than he had and everyone was so used to seeing him, the staff did not realise he was missing.

“We realised Oscar had gone missing when we started getting calls asking where he was from several of our clients,” Mr Lin said.

“It was extremely surprising that someone would want to steal him.”

“He was in a way our only form of advertising and a kind of sign as to where the clinic is,” he said. 

Oscar joined the EPSI team to help clients understand their own injuries but was later promoted to ‘Guardian of the Practice’ as he hung from the balcony of the clinic located on 660 Main Road, Eltham. 

A police report has not been filed but the EPSI team has asked the community for any information on Oscar's whereabouts. 

"We are at the moment trying to source his return with the help of the community itself since Eltham is a small place and we are hoping someone knows where he is,” Mr Lin said.

Several people wrote on the clinic’s Facebook page to express shock at Oscar being stolen, writing they hoped he would be returned soon.

Physiotherapy client and Alphington Aged Care lifestyle activities coordinator, Fee Seivers, said Osacar was sorely missed. 

“I attend the clinic myself and noticed Oscar wasn’t there last week. I assumed he might have gone for a clean or a repair. He’s a much loved icon in Eltham,” Ms Seivers said. 

“I take my senior residents on the bus weekly and they always wave to him as we drive past.” 

We are all missing him and hope that he makes it back home soon,” she said.