Zooming in on graffiti: Sergeant Jason Wombwell, Acting Senior Sergeant Phil Weight, the mayor Cr Bryan Payne and Cr Kate Roper at the site of the new surveillance camera, Hastings. Picture: Supplied
Hastings lawbreakers invited to smile for the camera A SURVEILLANCE camera at a graffiti hot spot at Hastings is the latest tactic by Mornington Peninsula Shire to deter graffiti on the peninsula. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the camera, at the intersection of Wallaroo and Hodgins roads, Hastings, was a “joint initiative of the shire and Hastings police to reduce anti-social behaviour and address the ongoing issue of graffiti”. “It’s proving to be a very useful tool with an offender already recorded by the camera,” he said. Cerberus Ward’s Cr Kate Roper said it was a shame when public
spaces were damaged by “senseless acts of vandalism”. “Local kids catch the bus here and they should feel safe and welcome when travelling around Hastings,” she said. Earlier this year, the shire worked closely with schools at Hastings and Dromana to create a series of studentdesigned artworks to deter graffiti. They were installed where graffiti is an issue, such as Wallaroo Reserve, Hastings, and the freeway underpass on McCulloch Street, Dromana. It is a crime to graffiti public or private property. The offence carries
maximum fines of more than $38,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. It is also an offence to sell, possess or store graffiti materials. The shire encourages people to report graffiti to police. Those with information can call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. Anonymity is guaranteed. The council aims to remove graffiti on shire property soon after it is reported. Priority is given to graffiti considered offensive. Contact 1300 850 600 or report graffiti online at mornpen.vic.gov.au/ report-it
Take the ‘trail’ to find an artist FOR the 10th year in a row artists from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are opening their studios to the public … and, to get there, all you have to do is follow the Peninsula Studio Trail. For two weekends the artists will be happy to talk with visitors about their creative techniques and show off their work places. The annual trail event held over two weekends (17-18 and 24-25 November) allows visitors a glimpse behind the gallery facade of a working art studio. Many of the 20 artists involved in the “trail” have won awards and are known on the peninsula, interstate and overseas. They recently held a 10-year anniversary exhibition at Southern Buoy Studios, Mornington, opened by Sue Baillieu, producer and presenter of “Arts About” on FM radio 98.7.
Visitors following the Peninsula Studio Trail can see such art forms as drawings, hand-thrown pottery, “sustainable sculpture” made from recycled materials, and printmaking styles from traditional to abstract. They will be shown art techniques through demonstrations and displays, and can speak with artists about their life and motivations. There will also be combined studio calls with visits to wineries, restaurants or cafes. Visitors will also see the many different types and locations of studios, from the dark and traditional, to within a private home, on a working farm, in the suburbs, gallery by the coast or large tin shed. To download a map of the “trail” go to peninsulastudiotrail.org or call Jennifer Fletcher 0406 733 381.
On the Trail: Frankston-based artist Lisa O’Keefe studied at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris, where she lived and worked for many years. Since returning to Australia O’Keefe has taught at the Victorian Artist Society, Mentone Art Society and Ashburton.
Western Port News
14 November 2018
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