By BRIDGET SCOTT
GRAFFITI is a shocking problem for the Pakenham Girl Guides according to Guide Leader Sonya Boloski, who hopes a new graffiti removal kit will stamp out the issue.
In a presentation at the hall last week, Minister for Crime Prevention Edward O’Donohue, as well as members from the Department of Justice, presented the kit to delighted members of the Girl Guides.
This came after Ms Boloski requested a removal system for the hall, saying every week there was more graffiti.
“It’s a shocking problem for the Guide Hall,” she said.
“Graffiti in Pakenham is a major issue.”
The graffiti removal system includes a 120-litre wheelie bin, a high-pressure water system, graffiti removal products and personal protective equipment.
Mr O’Donohue said he was happy to present this kit to the group and was committed to helping local groups fight the issue.
“Pakenham Guides sought a portable graffiti removal system to combat the graffiti at the Guide Hall,” he said.
“I am very happy to present the kit to the Guides, so they can continue to enjoy their activities in graffiti-free facilities.”
Ms Boloski said it was a relief to know she and other volunteers at the Guide Hall would no longer have to bring along their own tools and spend endless hours removing the unsightly graffiti.
“We try to keep the hall looking good but we are still getting vandalism,” she said.
Mr O’Donohue said it was evident this was an ongoing problem in Pakenham and these removal systems were an ideal attempt to prevent the problem.
“Feedback from the community shows that illegal and unsightly graffiti in Pakenham and the wider Cardinia Shire area continues to be a problem,” he said.
“Portable graffiti removal systems are valuable assets in the ongoing fight against graffiti as they help community members to remove graffiti as quickly as possible after it appears.”
Ms Boloski is confident these removal systems will act as a deterrent.
“I hope it prevents it, it’s got to be a good scene,” she said.
“It’s wrong – if these kids are doing something pro-active, they’re less likely to cause harm.”
Mr O’Donohue said that existing graffiti at the hall would be removed through the Victorian Government’s graffiti removal program.
In January the News reported that graffiti was a serious problem, and various community organisations were taking a stand.
Cardinia Neighbourhood Watch and the Beaconsfield Business group were among other community groups to receive a graffiti removal system. A demonstration at the Pakenham Plaza earlier this year showed potential owners of these kits how to use them.
Member for Gembrook Brad Battin said both the Neighbourhood Watch and other community members would be able to use the systems to help rid the streets of unsightly graffiti.
