ST Louis de Montfort’s pupils Mason and Ella proudly display artwork to be installed for display at Aspendale train station as part of a project aimed at discouraging graffiti.
THE writing is on the walls and fences and that’s why the state government is urging councils to apply for new funding for graffiti prevention projects.
The Graffiti Prevent Grants program was launched at St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School in Aspendale by Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll accompanied by Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson.
Pupils at the school have been developing artwork as part of Kingston Council’s Friends of Kingston graffiti prevention initiative.
That project received a $25,000 graffiti prevention grant last year and when complete, the pupils’ artwork will be installed at Aspendale train station.
The grant has also funded a graffiti removal trailer to help community groups remove graffiti at their monthly clean-up days at Aspendale, Chelsea and Bonbeach stations, and to support regular planting events to beautify the area.
“The Graffiti Prevention Grants encourage local councils to work with their communities and grassroots organisations to harness local solutions to the problem of graffiti,” Mr Carroll said.
“I urge local councils across the state that are looking for ways to combat graffiti to consider applying for a grant.”
School students will also take part in an anti-graffiti education program delivered by Victoria Police, which will help them understand the consequences of participating in illegal graffiti and the negative impact it has on their community.
“I congratulate Kingston City Council, Friends of Aspendale Train Station and St Louis de Monfort’s Primary School for their excellent work, partnering together to deliver initiatives to reduce the frequency and impact of graffiti vandalism,” Mr Richardson said.
Applications for the Graffiti Prevention Grants close 4pm on Friday 29 April and should be submitted online via the Community Crime Prevention Graffiti Prevention Grants site at crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/graffitigrants
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 16 March 2016