Vandals hit cultural centre in ‘senseless’ attacks
THOUSANDS of dollars worth of cultural artworks have been damaged and vandalised after youths repeatedly broke into Maningrida Arts and Culture Centre
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THOUSANDS of dollars worth of cultural artworks have been damaged and vandalised after youths repeatedly broke into Maningrida Arts and Culture Centre.
NT Police confirmed that the art centre has already been broken into by youths on two separate occasions this year which has resulted in eight arrests.
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Ingrid Stonhill from Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, which manages the Maningrida Arts and Culture Centre, said she was left speechless by the “senseless” damage done by youths.
“They broke into the art centre, which I thought was kind of sacrosanct for Maningrida, but obviously not,” she said.
“The emotional turmoil of watching hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of art being vandalised or disrespected was just terrible.”
Within just three months, young thieves in Maningrida have cost Bawinanga over $1m in damages.
West Arnhem mayor Matthew Ryan said the recent crime wave in the community, had been driven by a group of young boys who had “no respect for local elders”.
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It comes after construction company SH Build said they would not work in Maningrida again after suffering $180,000 in damages, including a stolen ute and damaged machinery.
The Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation have also been targeted by thieves, who caused about $30,000 worth of damage within a just span of 48 hours last month.
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