Australian sports reporter steals $117k from boss's bank vault

David and Christine Ward, from Wimmera, had $117 000 stolen from a bank vault on their property, and have asked the judge to spare the offender jail time.

The couple operates the regional media network Wimmera Mallee News.

Sports journalist Christopher John Graetz, 43, was residing at the Wards' home for 14 months from September 2023, and was working for the Warracknabeal Herald newspaper.

The ABC reports that last week, the Victorian County Court heard that Graetz, who pleaded guilty to burglary and four counts of theft.

He told that court that he informed the Wards of his gambling addiction, and considering their close relationship, they had offered to help him.

He admitted “they treated me like a son.”

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The Wards home was once a bank building, which included a steel and concrete vault with a safe installed inside, containing a cash drawer, according to the ABC.

Graetz was given access to the vault for business purposes. In March 2025, he was charged with stealing $580 from a desk, $500 from Mr Ward's wallet, $700 from the Warracknabeal Herald, and $116,000 from the safe.

In their victim impact statement, the Wards told the court they felt betrayed by Graetz's actions. David Ward described Graetz as “quite a good journalist”.

He said he and his wife did not want a custodial sentence for Graetz, claiming that jailing him would "be an impost on the state".

"I hope the help he's able to get will turn his life around," Mr Ward told the judge.

"It's time to put your money where your mouth is, and demonstrate you've put this behind you," Judge Blair told Graetz.

Sentencing has been  deferring until March 9 2027.