NRL star Anthony Watmough has joined the NSW Government in urging NSW communities to make Graffiti Removal Day 2015 a record-breaking event, after graffiti spanning more than 200 football fields was removed in last year's clean-up.
Anthony Watmough of the Parramatta Eels today joined Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Justice Troy Grant and Attorney General Gabrielle Upton in launching Graffiti Removal Day, which will be held on Sunday, 18 October 2015.
"Communities across NSW are fed up with graffiti: it’s ugly and costs the state an estimated $100 million each year. That’s money that could be better spent on things that matter like hospitals, roads, schools and sporting facilities. Graffiti Removal Day is about getting local communities involved to stop graffiti once and for all,” Ms Upton said.
"Last year about 2000 volunteers removed 21,000 square metres of graffiti from about 275 sites across NSW, saving the government and private property owners an estimated $1.5 million," Ms Upton said.
Mr Grant urged communities to take the upper hand against graffiti vandals and support existing Government and law enforcement efforts to target the illegal 'tagging' of homes, business and public facilities.
"The only tag I want to see as we launch this year’s Graffiti Removal Day is the hashtag #rolluptorollout and we urge people to spread the word on social media and turn out on 18 October," Mr Grant said.
Mr Watmough encouraged fans and sporting clubs of all codes to join this year's graffiti removal efforts.
"Footy players and fans wondering what to do with their Sundays once the season is over should come along to Graffiti Removal Day, wear their footy jumpers and show what team spirit is all about," Mr Watmough said.
Mr Watmough added he hoped the success of Graffiti Removal Day would make vandals think twice about tagging other people's property.
"A lot of kids get involved in graffiti because they’re bored, but if they really want an adrenaline rush they should take up sport – it's a great way to have fun, get fit and make friends," Mr Watmough said.
Graffiti Removal Day is a joint initiative between the NSW Government and Rotary Down Under. It is supported by a range of organisations including the NRL, Scouts Australia, Girl Guides NSW & ACT, Australian Men’s Shed Association (NSW Branch), PCYC, NSW Police, high schools and local councils.
To volunteer or nominate a cleanup site, complete the online registration form at graffitiremovalday.org.au
