One of the concrete pillars adorning the front gate to the Seaham School of Arts and Community Hall, dedicated to the men and women from the town who fought and died in war, was demolished when a car crossed to the wrong side of the road and hit it about 9.30am on Sunday, July 19.

"The people across the road said they heard tyres squealing," said May Sinclair, a member of the committee that maintain the hall.

"They looked out the window and saw a white [Toyota] Hilux had hit the pillar and knocked it over."

But before the residents who live across from the hall on Warren Street could run outside and check on the driver, the car took off.

"They reversed and took off the way they came," Ms Sinclair said.

Ms Sinclair said while accidents happened, taking off was a low act.

"It's the fact that they haven't taken responsibility for what they've done," she said.

"We want to know who it is so they can go around to a couple of older people's places and apologise."

Ms Sinclair contacted police and Port Stephens Council, owners of the hall, about the incident.

She said the police were not able to do much without a registration number.

The council would look to have the damage to the pillar fixed through insurance.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Raymond Terrace Police Station on 4983 7599.