An Australian national flag and a Vietnam Veterans of Australia flag were last seen blowing in the breeze after an annual memorial service on August 18 about 7pm.

Now, after more than a week of checking with veterans and the RSL, the case has been reported to police.

“To think that these flags were stolen while hanging on the flagpoles is upsetting and causing great concern to our members,” president of the Warrnambool branch of Vietnam Veterans of Australia, Don Roberts, told The Standard.

“Our flag is an important symbol and, in a way, symbolic for what we went through.

“We are relying on the goodwill of the public to have them returned.

“If anyone has them or knows where they are we ask that they be brought to the Warrnambool RSL and no questions will be asked.”

The flags had been clipped to ropes on two flagpoles and their absence was noticed the day after the memorial service attended by about 100 people and a following social gathering.

Fortunately a new Australian flag was presented to the branch this week by federal MP Dan Tehan as part of  a national program.

Sourcing another Vietnam veterans flag may prove more difficult.

The RSL installed security cameras on the main war memorial in recent years after theft and vandalism of  the rifle on the marble soldier statue, but the Vietnam War section is in another location away from the camera's view.