Offensive messages left for Berejiklian after Willow Grove Parramatta march

A fight to save a heritage-listed building from being bulldozed to make way for the $915m Parramatta Powerhouse Museum got personal with offensive remarks targeting cops and the Premier.

Joanne Vella

@Parramatta_News

2 min read

May 5, 2021 - 7:19AM

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A march to save heritage-listed Willow Grove at Parramatta was marred with offensive comments on a blackboard hoarding concealing the historic building with tags such as ‘F***dacops’ and several directed at NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, including ‘Gladys go back to Armenia’.

The comments refer to the Sydney-born Premier’s ancestral home and remained there on Tuesday afternoon. They were scribbled after a May Day march, which saw thousands of people descend on Parramatta’s streets to protest against the looming demolition of Willow Grove, which will be replaced by the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum.

Comments scribbled on the wall outside Willow Grove Parramatta include slurs at police.

Other tags directed at the Premier include “Keep your hands on Darryl (sic) and off Willow Grove,’’ referring to her relationship with her former secret boyfriend and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

The tags were scribbled on a hoarding wall blocking the heritage-listed 1870s Italianate building Willow Grove at Phillip St in Parramatta’s CBD, which was the centre of Saturday’s protest to highlight the contentious plans to demolish the former maternity hospital.

Comments targeted NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s personal life.

Parramatta Labor councillor Donna Davis said hundreds of messages of support for Willow Grove and heritage were written on the blackboard hoarding.

“There was chalk leftover that any passer by could have used to write a message after the event concluded,’’ she said.

“When the community tied hearts and photos, of babies born at Willow Grove, along the fence on Phillip St to show their love on Valentine’s Day they were taken down the next day. “It’s very surprising that the chalk messages are still there after the previous censorship of community love for Willow Grove.”

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group (NPRAG) led the protest to save Willow Grove. The government has said it will be “relocated’’ to make way for the museum, which critics are calling for to be built elsewhere.

May Day (Save Willow Grove march) at Parramatta on Saturday. Picture: Facebook

NPRAG has launched legal action against the government to stop work on the Willow Grove site and is taking it to the Land and Environment Court on May 24.

It says the government’s environmental assessment did not meet requirements for the state significant project, which was given the green light in February.

NPRAG spokeswoman Suzette Meade said the offensive tags were most likely written after the march. It is not suggested someone from the group was involved in writing them.

Parramatta police confirmed they are investigating the inappropriate graffiti.

The Premier’s office declined to comment.

Meanwhile defiant heritage supporters are celebrating a strong turnout for the May Day march.

Cr Davis said the community was tired of being “pushed around”.

“We’re pushed and pulled by a state government that tells us what we need, what’s best for us and not what we know is good for us and for our future generations,’’ she told the rally.

“Residents of western Sydney deserves a government investment in state-funded cultural institutions that provide spaces to create, provide spaces to celebrate and to educate but not at the expense of our heritage.’’