Largs Bay RSL graffitied only weeks after having memorial garden vandalised
A western suburbs RSL – the target of three attacks by thieves in just nine months – has now been hit by graffiti vandals, causing more than $3000 worth of damage.
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A western suburbs RSL – the target of three attacks by thieves in just nine months – has now been hit by graffiti vandals.
More than $3000 damage was done and a large graffiti tag was sprayed on the Largs Bay RSL after vandals scaled the building over the weekend.
It comes a week after staff and children at the Westport Primary School in Semaphore Park were left devastated after a mural students helped create had the mocking graffiti message “You Call This Art?” painted over it.
Largs Bay RSL president Peter Cates had one message for those responsible for the latest incident.
“If you want to paint, come and see us. We’ll even buy you the paint, because we like to have murals at the RSL,” Mr Cates said.
The graffiti is the latest in a string of vandalism at the Carnarvon Terrace building.
In August, a thief targeted the RSL’s memorial garden by stealing a lemon tree.
About 20 plants, including an established olive tree, were also stolen from the garden in May.
Most of the plants had been provided through local veterans, their families, members of the local community and business sponsors.
“It’s becoming a real pain in the neck, this consistent stealing of plants at the memorial garden. It’s been ongoing for 18 months, on and off,” Mr Cates said.
Port Adelaide Enfield Council removed the graffiti on Monday.
Mayor Claire Boan said it was astonishing to think anyone would target a RSL club.
“We couldn’t believe somebody would do this to such an amazing community group,” Ms Boan said.
“When we saw this on Sunday we got straight onto it and by Monday morning the building was as good as new.”
When news about the vandalism was spread on social media, it drew an outcry from the local community.
Ms Boan said while council appreciated the urge to post about things like this in community groups on social media, it was also important to report graffiti directly to the local council, so that they were aware and can remove it as soon as possible.
The RSL’s memorial garden is named after Port Adelaide Football Club great Roy Drummond, a member of the club’s “Incredibles” as a premiership player in 1913 and 1914.
Born in Largs Bay, Mr Drummond won the military medal with the Australian Imperial Force.
All of the incidents have been reported to SAPOL.
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