Warholian, maybe but illegal graffiti must not be condoned says McEwen MP Fran Bailey.By Kath Gannaway
MCEWEN MP Fran Bailey is not impressed that vandals have chosen her image as a subject for graffiti in the Main Street of Healesville.
The image, believed to be created using a series of stencils and different coloured paints, appeared some weeks ago on one of the main street shops and a traffic control box.
Ms Bailey said the police and the Shire of Yarra Ranges were alerted by her as soon as the graffiti was reported to her.
“The person, or persons, responsible for this graffiti is a vandal and I do not condone their actions,” Ms Bailey said.
“They should be made aware of the recent Anti-Graffiti Legislation introduced by the State Government which carries severe penalties.”
The first image appeared three weeks ago on the wall of one of the town’s most up-market shops – Kitchen & Butcher.
Owner Michael Kennedy told the Mail while he appreciates the Warholian quality of the work, he doesn’t really understand the message, or why anyone would want to involve the establishment in a political comment.
He said he intends to clean it off.
Shire of Yarra Ranges communications manager James Martin said while private residents have access to a free graffiti removal kit, commercial operations have to pay a $10 fee.
The shire is responsible for the removal of graffiti on shire-owned property and Mr Martin said while a lot of work is done redirecting young people’s talent for the craft into art-type programs and other art activities, illegal graffiti was not condoned and was an ongoing cost to ratepayers.
While with an election looming, residents can expect to see a plethora of posters erected around the Yarra Valley, but graffiti will not be part of the campaign, according to Ms Bailey.
“This sort of behaviour should not be condoned and I encourage anyone who witnesses such defacing of property to contact the police,” she said.
