Dandenong councillor Jim Memeti and Dandenong South Primary School’sLeonie Fitzgerald and Lyn Byrnes with the mural designed to reduce local graffiti.
By Paul Pickering
PRIMARY school kids and an artist have combined forces to quash graffiti in Dandenong South.
Students from Dandenong South Primary School have been working with artist Dennis Lopez and the City of Greater Dandenong Council to paint a mural on a local milkbar in Glynda Street.
The mural, titled Dandenong South: Great People, Great Place, is an attempt to reduce graffiti in the street.
The council believes that painting a mural on the wall will deter taggers.
In October 2006, students from Dandenong South Primary School used their creative minds to come up with designs to reflect their experiences of living and going to school in the area.
Local artist Dennis Lopez worked with school staff and students to create an amazing collage of the students’ designs.
Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti, who came up with the mural plan, praised the project.
“The community and council benefit from an attractive piece of art that changes the feel of the area. It also showcases local talent while assisting to reduce the costs of removing graffiti and deter any future incidents,” he said.
Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea said such projects were important in targeting illegal graffiti hot spots.
“Research has shown that creating professional and artistic art work at such sites reduces the impact of illegal graffiti in these areas,” he said.
“Businesses and community groups who are interested in having a mural painted at their sites are encouraged to complete an application form.
“In many cases council can supply an artist, and financial assistance is available in certain cases.”
