MILLICENT police officers are seeking information from the public in their quest to identify the vandals who recently damaged the “Welcome to Millicent” sign on the Princes Highway near the Millicent Cemetery.
The damage was reported to police last Wednesday morning.
The unknown culprits have written an obscene phrase and an “identity tag” as well as damaged the stone structure with multi-coloured spray-painted patterns.
The illuminated sign was erected at considerable expense by Wattle Range Council and replaced an ageing and dilapidated sign a few years ago.
It is chiefly constructed from white dolomite freestone from a private quarry and has an estimated replacement value of $35,000.
A police spokesman said photographs of the distinctive tags had been taken and sent to the police intelligence section for assessment.
“We would like to hear from anyone with information about the vandalism via the Crimestoppers hotline on 1800 333 000,” the spokesman said.
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower noticed the vandalism when driving past on Wednesday and immediately alerted his work crews.
Mr Gower said it was not the sort of activity that he wanted to see in Millicent.
“The stone walls received three coats of graffiti-proof sealant when they were erected,” Mr Gower said.
“It would have taken quite a while to do the graffiti and hopefully they were seen.”
Council crews used a high-pressure hose on the structure on Thursday and the stonework was completely repainted later in the day.
News of the vandalism was posted on the Facebook page of The South Eastern Times and drew a hostile response.
“Hope they are caught and given a hefty fine,” Jenny Verbena said.
“Hope they find out who did it and make them clean-up their own mess and still put them through the court system,” Snow Gurney said.
“Let’s hope they find the culprits and they are made to repair the damage,” Marilyn Jones said.
“How sad. More absolutely senseless damage to our town, “Annette Abbott said.
“They should be made to clean all the graffiti with a toothbrush on a stinking hot day,” Deb McDonald said.
