An award winning historical display at Blaxland McDonalds is missing and the shocked artist, former Blue Mountains resident Raema Grieve, wants to know where it is and why it has gone.
The now Canberra-based illustrator prepared the copperplate display board in 1990 for the store's opening. It was on the wall of the McDonalds restaurant in Blaxland, but recently removed during an extensive renovation this year.
It told the story of the shooting of police inspector Sir William Pottinger at the site in 1865. The idea was supported by the then McDonalds manager Di Jones.
Ms Grieve prepared the calligraphy, with words and research by the late Edgar Penzig, a noted local historian and author.
"It's recently been dismantled and apparently put into storage - location unknown. We have had a number of inquiries as to the whereabouts of the display," she said.
At the time, the Gazette reported it was "a talking point ... and the first of its kind nationwide".
The following year the franchise won an "outstanding decor award" beating 220 other stores. Staff were photographed with the award in front of Grieve and Penzig's display.
"Regarding the value to Blaxland's most significant historical site, the Pilgrim Inn, and location of Sir Frederick Pottinger's accident, and considering the care, effort and hard work that went into bringing this display together by Edgar, it is very disappointing to me personally and came as quite a shock to learn from friends, and later to see for myself, that it had been entirely dismantled," Ms Grieve said.
"I was told a number of different stories from McDonalds and other people, that some of the artefacts had been sold or lost. Nobody seemed to know clearly."
Ms Grieve said she "would have liked to have been able to take a photograph or have made a copy of part of my work, to be put into an exhibition of Australian womens' art, but was then told that it was held in storage somewhere and nobody could get access to it".
After several calls to McDonalds, a spokeswoman, Chloe Turner, said the items were "currently being kept, and will be considered for display now that the renovations are complete".
"We would like to thank the local community for their patience while the Blaxland restaurant underwent a major internal facelift, to create a more modern and relaxed restaurant local families can enjoy," Ms Turner said.
"As part of the renovation, we have added a mural to honour the Pilgrim Inn - a significant historical site neighbouring our restaurant."
"The remaining items of the original historical display are currently being kept, and will be considered for display now that the renovations are complete."
Ms Grieve has handed over information to the Blue Mountains Council's heritage department to ensure the information can remain available to the public in the long-term.