City councillors last night voted 5-2 to leave the artwork, which is painted on a wall in the Lighthouse Theatre loading dock, covered indefinitely.

Calls for the mural,  daubed by the disgraced performer during a visit almost 30 years ago, to be permanently painted over were defeated.

The recommended motion that the council condemn the actions of Harris and others was extended to acknowledge that there were women and children in the community who were survivors of violence perpetrated predominantly by men.

Cr Jacinta Ermacorma, who worked as a counsellor for seven years with the South West Centre for Sexual Assault, called for the change, arguing Harris should not be acknowleged, but the victims should.

She read from an email sent to her by a woman who had been sexually abused as a child and now almost 50 years later had found the courage to speak about it.

“This should not be about an angry squad armed with paint rollers,” Cr Ermacora said.

“It’s not about a particular painting or censorship, it’s about the survivors.

“There is an extensive list of Warrnambool City Council initiatives towards  preventing violence.”

Councillors Peter Hulin and Brian Kelson made impassioned pleas for the painting to be permanently painted over.

“We need to send a message that we do not tolerate assaults on women, men and children,” Cr Hulin said.

Cr Kelson said it should be painted over so victims should not have to relive their pain over and over.

Mayor Michael Neoh said the best option was not to destroy the artwork, but to take a strong stand against violence.

“The greatest thing we can do is raise awareness and take a stand as an organisation,” he said.

Cr Kylie Gaston said there was an urgent need to address violence against women and children, while Cr Rob Askew said the artwork was done as a gift to the city and the best way to recognise Harris’ crimes was to leave the mural covered from view.