Citizen of the Year Graham Treloar at the graffitispattered Pakenham Town Hall.Paul Dunlop
A GRAFFITI attack on the Pakenham Town Hall was condemned as a “desecration” by Cardinia Shire’s reigning Citizen of the Year Graham Treloar.
The hall, a focal point for social gatherings over many decades, was sprayed with paint over the school holidays.
Graffiti ‘tags’ were scrawled on the outer walls and brickwork and also splattered across the front entrance.
Mr Treloar, widely known as Uncle, was honoured by the Shire on Australia Day this year for his outstanding service to the community, including more than 30 years as secretary of the hall management committee.
The Pakenham barber said last week it was disappointing to see an icon of the town treated in such a way.
“It is a shame, it’s a bit of desecration really. I suppose it’s just kids but it takes a lot of work to get rid of what they’ve done.”
Mr Treloar said it was at least fortunate that the war memorial, which stands next to the town hall, was not touched.
He said the graffiti would be removed and the hall repainted. He said he hoped it would not happen again.
Pakenham Police are investigating the graffiti attack.
