VANDALS have damaged public property in Millicent for the second consecutive weekend.
Numerous instances of graffiti appeared overnight on Saturday as the vandals spray-painted slogans and symbols with pink paint.
The graffiti included the words “wizard” and “princess”.
Millicent Police suspect the same people were responsible for damaging the wind turbine blade and playground at Centennial Park, The Domain playground, Millicent Veterinary Clinic signage, Target Country’s southern wall and structures at Newbery Park Primary School.
Sergeant Rick Errington has asked members of the public with any information about the vandalism to contact police.
He said police investigations were continuing into vandalism the previous weekend when oil was poured over the Millicent skatepark on Ridge Terrace.
There has been a strong reaction to the graffiti, with Mount Gambier visitors Helen and Bruce Kilsby expressing their disappointment after inspecting the damage yesterday.
“It is disgusting,” Ms Kilsby said.
“They deface important things.”
Her thoughts were shared by her husband, who said Mount Gambier also has its share of vandalism.
“The perpetrators are brainless,” Mr Kilsby said.
Newbery Park principal Stuart Miller said his school had experienced ongoing episodes of low-level vandalism over many weeks and remedial action is taken straightaway.
According to Mr Miller, windows had been smashed and items in the yard had been damaged.
“There is an impact on the taxpayer,” Mr Miller said.
“We are a community school and we encourage community use of our facilities and to enjoy our grounds.
“We take pride in what we do at Newbery Park.
“Schools are a huge resource and we like to see people kick-off the footy on the oval or shooting hoops with our basketball rings.
“However, the Millicent community in general needs to consider activities and facilities to engage young people and prevent a repetition of the vandalism”.
Mr Miller said his school was investigating a cost-effective way of installing closed circuit television cameras.
Millicent Veterinary Clinic co-proprietor Dr Sarah McGrath said steps were being taken to either clean or replace the damaged sign which fronts Mount Gambier Road.
Dr McGrath was hopeful security camera footage is available which might identify the culprits.
“We have a lovely community in Millicent and this vandalism should not deter anyone from the fact,” Dr McGrath said.
“The graffiti was done in pink paint and this caused me to remember all the pink-themed fundraising and awareness activities relating to breast cancer in the past month.”
The decorative wind turbine blade came from a fire-damaged tower at Lake Bonney several years ago.
It has been repeatedly targeted by vandals and repainted by Wattle Range Council.
Council engineering services director Peter Halton said his staff was working on removing the graffiti as well as taking photographs and preparing insurance claims.
Mr Halton said dozens of playground items had been damaged.
“This takes us off our maintenance tasks,” he said.
“We will be looking at recompense if we can catch the culprits”.
