mmg.com.au

The musician who had his guitar and songbook stolen while performing as part of the Echuca-Moama Celtic Festival has been reunited with his belongings.

On Wednesday, the Riverine Herald reported that Phil Dean, singer and guitarist with Zeptepi, and his fellow band members had been packing their gear away after playing at the Star Hotel on Friday night.

The musicians believed the guitar case (with the songbook inside) was taken as it was momentarily left on the footpath, between taking loads of gear to the car.

It was not until before the next gig the following day the case was missed.

Mr Dean said the ‘‘priceless’’ songbook contained about two years worth of work, including song lyrics, ideas and melodies.

However all was not lost, as Wednesday morning saw a man return the case — complete with songbook and guitar — to the Echuca police station.

Senior Constable Matthew Goss said he believed media coverage of the incident helped prompt the return of the items.

He said Mr Dean was ‘‘really happy’’ when he rang him to tell him his items had been handed in.

‘‘Police will be questioning an Echuca male at a later date in relation to the theft,’’ he said.

Mr Dean said his faith had been restored when he found out the guitar case has been located.

‘‘I just never expected to get that back,’’ Mr Dean said.

‘‘To be honest, I was totally overwhelmed by the amount of sympathy and support we’ve received from this.’’

He said social media helped spread the word of the missing guitar case before his story made it to the Riv and on to radio.

‘‘I’m just so grateful to everyone who helped,’’ he said.