The pump is estimated to be worth $1000 and is essential to the family’s daily life.

“We use it to pump water up from the creek and it’s our livelihood,” Mr Marshall said.

“We’ve had to borrow water to keep our stock alive and our young family going.

“We think the pump went missing last Tuesday but we only discovered it missing on Sunday night.

“It’s disappointing because we live in a community where people should understand how important water is.

“We’re very disappointed and frustrated about it.”

In a plea for help the couple has placed a sign at the front of their property.

“The sign is being used to vent some of my frustration and to make people aware,” Mr Marshall said.

“I made it because I was so upset that I just had to do something about it.

“Hopefully someone can help out and let people know that someone is stealing gear.”

Mr Marshall believes it was a calculated theft.

“They would have had to go around the creek just to get to the pump,” he said.

“I don’t think it was a random attack and someone cased it out beforehand.

“They’ve got it out with a hacksaw and I believe it was at least a two-man job.

“It’s left a bad taste in our mouths.”

The Marshalls have contacted the Bega Police who are looking into the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the theft should contact the Bega Police or the Marshalls on 0402 003 158.