Community comes together to restore Northcote medical graffiti mural defaced by vandals

When vandals defaced a popular piece of artwork at Northcote Plaza, it prompted outrage across social media. But it wasn’t long before a group of good Samaritans came together to restore it to its former glory.

The popular artwork was vandalised last weekend.

Outrage spread through the Northcote community this week after an iconic artwork was smeared with graffiti.

But just hours later all was right again after one good Samaritan spent more than four hours scrubbing it clean.

The popular piece is on the side of Northcote Medical and backs onto the Northcote Plaza carpark.

Graffiti artist Resio completed the piece two and a half years ago, commissioned by Northcote Medical to prevent tagging on the wall.

Northcote Medical owner Denise Hemley said she was horrified when she first saw the damage on May 2.

“I was devastated,” she said.

Good Samaritans had the graffiti cleaned up within hours.

“I have a real issue with tagging and people destroying other people’s property.”

“In here we try and do so much for the community – I don’t like seeing that.”

The act of vandalism blew up on social media, with one post in a Northcote Plaza group attracting 172 comments.

But just hours after it was first spotted, Samantha Trikolas took it upon herself to scrub it clean.

Ms Hemley said Ms Trikolas was out there for more than four hours, and received help from a number of passers-by.

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“I wish I could thank each and every one of those people that came up,” she said.

“We were so grateful that the community were attached and the fact that they wanted to come out and help.”

You can visit the popular artwork at 1 Robbs Parade, Northcote.