VICTORIA Police have condemned those responsible for desecrating a Welcome to Country sign at Sea Lake with racist graffiti.
The vandalism of the Welcome to Wotjobaluk Country sign, which stands on the intersection of the Sea Lake/Robinvale Calder Highway, was discovered on June 27 by a Traditional Owner.
The sign was installed through a partnership between the Victorian Department of Transport and Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BGLC).
BGLC board and staff were alerted to the vandalism shortly after it was discovered, and were “deeply saddened, frustrated and hurt” by the “blatant racist attack”.
In a statement, the organisation said that the graffiti was “deliberately used as a call to action for violence against Aboriginal People” and caused reliving of “past traumas that continue to affect the wellbeing of our people today”.
“Racism has no place on Wotjobaluk Country. It’s heartbreaking to see these disgusting words on our signage, and we don’t stand for it,” BGLC chair Dylan Clarke said.
Regionals Roads Victoria attended and removed the graffiti.
Victoria Police said they were investigating the crime.
“The graffiti at Sea Lake-Robinvale Road was reported to police on Thursday, 28 June, and has since been removed,” they said.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for racism or hate-based behaviour and Victoria Police takes all such reports seriously.
“Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.”
