EMOTIONS are likely to run high when city councillors on Monday night debate the future of a controversial mural painted by disgraced artist Rolf Harris on a back wall in Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre.
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The rural landscape scene brushed on by Harris in 1986 has been covered by blackened Perspex since he was convicted last year by a British court for historic indecent assaults on four girls and later jailed.
The wall is in a loading dock away from general public access.
However, there have been calls from some sectors of the Warrnambool community for it to be destroyed. The debate was ignited earlier this month by Cr Peter Hulin who said it was time for the mural to go.
An executive report for Monday night’s monthly council meeting recommends the mural remain covered indefinitely and that the council affirm its condemnation for the actions of Harris and others who perpetrate violence against women and children.
The report says council had undertaken some consultation on the mural’s future and monitored media coverage.
Options include destroying the mural, leaving it covered and continue to expand work focused on prevention of violence, or leave it covered and place an adjacent plaque outlining the council’s commitment to prevention of violence.
“From a broader community aspect regarding art produced by Rolf Harris, the major art galleries around the world have taken works produced by him from display and placed them in storage,” the report said.
“They do not destroy the works.
“Likewise paedophilia has been linked to many high-profile institutions and service organisations.
“Rightfully the community has separated actions of the individual from the institutions and their facilities.
“In addition to covering the painting council has committed to implement ‘take a stand’ - a workplace program that includes training for its entire staff.”
The report says rates of violence against women and children across Warrnambool were significantly higher than the state average and that the council had a range of programs and initiatives that tackled the issue.
These include a pilot program across the south-west to promote respectful relationships between men and women as they prepare for parenthood.
n You can follow the debate live from the Warrnambool City Council on Monday night on The Standard’s website at www.standard.net.au or on Twitter by following @TheStandardLive
