The perpetrator removing ‘Tom’. Photo: Screen grab from Olive at Hawker CCTV.
A mixture of outrage and grief has gripped Hawker Shops after their popular resident tomato bush fell foul of the ACT Government.
Restaurant Olive at Hawker posted a video on Facebook showing the thriving bush, dubbed Tom the Tomato, being unceremoniously ripped out by a ghostbuster lookalike.
“It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that Tom The Tomato was ripped out and killed by the ACT Government. We only ask WHY??? How can someone do this to poor Tom. You will be truly missed by all RIP”.
The post prompted a flurry of responses expressing grief, anger and loss at the cutting down of young Tom in his prime, and questioning the Government’s priorities.
Dimitri Yianoulakis posted “Which minister looks after weed spraying in Canberra? I think it’s time to rally time for a petition. This is an outrage.”
Theodore Leonidas Merkoureas was “Devastated”, while Elise Ewing said “RIP Tom” and asked “Will there be a memorial service?”
Others wondered what poor Tom had done to deserve such treatment, noting the young weedster’s zeal, and pointed to plenty of other targets more worthy of attention.
Briony Young wished “this bloke would come and do something about the blackberry bush that’s growing on the other side of my fence, that I continuously complain about. He seems more thorough than the other workers… “
Lyn McDonald also wished they sprayed where it was actually needed.
A very healthy ‘Tom The Tomato’ prior to the incident. Photo: Supplied.
Jan Casey laid blame where it should, at the feet of the ACT Government. “If only they could look after the ‘real’ issues within the ACT there would be less complaints (at least from me) – seriously it was a plant doing totally no harm to anyone – get our agenda in order ACT Government!”
Vale Tom.
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Hawker outrage: Fingers pointed at Government after Tom cut down in prime
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If only I could post the photo’s of the weeds lining the nature strip alongside the newly unopened shops at Coombs..
I aint afraid of no ghost
Funny as hell. Getting crucified for doing his job. Maybe it should have been in a pot plant. It was growing out of the pavement which we are supposed to maintain. It’s a tomato plant for god sakes. 😂
And if it had no tomatoes by now it won’t
Don’t worry we have a replacement on the way. Was a good laugh at least
Dimitri Yianoulakis no worries champ. Will come and grab a coffee sometime. 😉
Ellie rosemary bush 2.0
A weed is a plant growing where it shouldn’t be. It’s growing out of the bloody concrete.
And that concrete and building is someone’s property.
Dimitri Yianoulakis maybe you should have put a sign up 😂
There was a sign, that’s how we named it TOM.
TBH It was just a plant but the strange thing is we do our own weeding as the ACT Gov hasn’t been there in years. And a majority of the times they just spray and walk away, not this Ghostbuster he ripped it out by hand. 😂 #setup
If the act gov "Hasnt been there in years" then the shops would look like a scene from i am legend
Next time you lads go past drop in for a beer on me. Take care 👍🏻
Yiorgos look after these funny lads.
Bahahaha maybe ask to be put on the no spray registrar 😜😝😜😝😜
Dimitri Yianoulakis this guy is not your typical Gov employee. Very good worker. And he has only just started that run so expect things to change in a good way.
Dimitri Yianoulakis I would like to personally offer to replace it for you. The spray operator is sincerely sorry.
U must be a top bloke if you know Zoran Matijevic. 😉
Matt Boyd Zok is a legend. And no issues at all with the sprayer he is doing his job and a great one at that cause I can tell you not many have been there to remove weeds in a while.
Dimitri Yianoulakis just having a laugh. Hope you get a replacement
Good times.
Probably cleared to make way for a block of apartments on the spot.
And they say we have it easy in the ACT!!!!
We just want Tom back 😭