JUST days before Macleay Island’s first Easter family fun day event, residents were left shattered when the community skate bowl mural was vandalised.
Two days before Good Friday, Terrin McNeil took to social media to express her frustration after discovering the damage, which occurred only three days before the much-anticipated event at the skatepark.
“It was heartbreaking to see,” Ms McNeil said.
“Our skatepark had just been revamped last year.
“It was a community effort too, with the artists being residents of Macleay Island.
“All the kids here, and some parents, have our handprints imprinted on the park.”
Determined to find answers, Ms McNeil offered a $100 reward for information about the culprit.
Within a day, three people reached out to her – one of them the mother of the child responsible.
Despite the setback, the Macleay Island community quickly rallied.
Thanks to the swift efforts of residents, the graffiti was removed in time for the Easter celebration.
Artists Allan Pearson, Philip James and Mark Pearson, who had been part of creating the original mural, played a major role in the clean-up.
They were joined by members of the Running Wild Youth Conservation Culture group, along with Bay Islands Inclusive Events Committee members Shelly Pearson, Jake Gilroy, Stephanie Hollis, Natasha Hollis and Ness Jane.
The reason for the vandalism remains known only to the child, their mother, and Ms McNeil, who shared a message for young people.
“Don’t try and fit in with anyone whose values and morals go against your own,” she said.
“If you want to be ‘cool’, stand up for what’s right and don’t let peer pressure win you over.
“You are your own person with your own mind, lead with love and your people will find you.”
