The final straw for the single dad was when prized Geelong Cats memorabilia was stolen from his Warrnambool home. At the time he was in Geelong recovering from a brain bleed. “I was putting out the bin and fell over,” Mr Barby said.

A neighbour called an ambulance and it was discovered Mr Barby had broken his ankle.

Shortly after the fall the 46-year-old began experiencing severe headaches and was unable to sleep.

A doctor sent Mr Barby to Geelong for a cat scan, which revealed the bleed.

“Doctors at the Geelong hospital sent me to the Alfred hospital,” he said.

His condition was monitored and doctors considered surgery, but he was later given the all clear.

Mr Barby was picked up from the Alfred by his partner Marie Robinson and taken to her Geelong home to recover.

“I was in Geelong and when I was coming back the boys said ‘your photos have been taken’.”

Mr Barby’s children Brock, 16, Dalton, 15, Maddison, 13, and Brylie, 12, had left their Warrnambool home for a short period and came home to discover the theft.

The one-eyed Cats fan said he was devastated by the news.

“They were only gone for 45 or 50 minutes so whoever got them knew what they wanted,” Mr Barby said.

One of the items was a photo of Gary Ablett Senior and Cats legend Polly Farmer.

“The story goes that Gary Ablett owned it and he gave it away to be auctioned,” Mr Barby said.

Another prized possession he lost was a 2007 premiership jumper signed by players.

The combined value of the items was more than $2000 but the fact they are very hard to replace is what’s most upsetting.

Mr Barby reported the theft to police and is hopeful they will be found and returned to him.

He hopes his luck will change as he has been unemployed for some time.

Mr Barby hopes to return to work when his ankle heals.

If you have information contact Warrnambool police on 5560 1333.