Ken Dwyer is having a property in Wagga renovated and came to the house on Tuesday to find the security door, and laundry was open.

"They had emptied the two buildings of the majority of the stuff," he said.

"They had taken a gas cooktop and some of Sarah's [his daughter] furniture and plenty of things we had not even unpacked yet like sheets and doonas.

"It could be easily thousands worth of items gone."

Mr Dwyer feels compassion for those who feel the need to steal, adding he has always been the type to lend a hand wherever possible.

"The worst part is, however, they took cutlery set in a nice timber box which is not of great value, but huge sentimental value," he said.

"It's old, and it was my mum's who passed away a few years ago."

The cutlery box was his mother's wedding gift from her brother more than 75 years ago.

Mr Dwyer's two daughters had been adopted from Sri Lanka.

He had been looking forward to the day where he could pass his mother's collection onto them.

"I am hoping these people do the right thing and return it," he said.

"Even just that one piece because that's the thing most dear to my heart.

"I believe that if someone wants something, they can just ask me. Don't pinch it off me because I would prefer to give it in good faith."

Growing up in Junee, Mr Dwyer has always been a fan of the "country mindset" where you can leave doors open.

"I will have to think about security measures now, even though I do not want to because I am old school," he said.

"I just feel a bit of compassion for the people who have done it.

"It's disappointing, but I just want it back."

Anyone who has information regarding this incident can contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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