Graffiti makes its mark on our local heritage

Bulli Courthouse got an unauthorised paint job over the weekend.

A person or persons managed to scramble onto the roof of the building, which faces directly onto the Princes Highway, and spray large graffiti murals across the front and other parts of the building.

Bulli’s Theo Happel, a strong local supporter of the need to preserve the historic courthouse, said he was outraged by the attack.

“I reckon it’s absolutely disgusting – and if they’re so fair dinkum about their artwork why don’t they spray their parents’ home?” he said.

“They don’t because they know it’s wrong - it really makes that end of Bulli look like Redfern and I take offence to it.”

Police took photos of the graffiti to assist them in catching those responsible and said the damage occurred on Sunday morning.

However, selling agent for the courthouse Travis Machan from Colliers Wollongong said he noticed graffiti on the building on Friday, and removed a ladder from the site which he believes the offenders used to access the roof.

“That graffiti is pretty terrible – whoever did it there needs to be shamed,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Woonona Salvation Army Church, not far from the courthouse, said the church was tagged by a vandal over the weekend too.

The church had just paid $400 to get rid of some other graffiti, she said.