General News
1 September, 2025
Council, community unite against racist vandalism
A disgusted resident in Horsham has contacted Wimmera Mallee News expressing her anger and annoyance at finding racist stickers around the town recently.
Tessa McClure said there is absolutely no room for division or racism in the town, and asks anyone who comes across the stickers to remove them immediately.
"When I saw the first one, I was angry and fed up, honestly," Ms McClure said.
"It is not the first sign of a hateful thing toward our Aboriginal community lately, so I was fed up.
"I went over to it, noticed it wasn't completely stuck onto the meter for parking, and so I immediately ripped it off and screwed it up.
"Walking back to my car, I saw another one, and then I checked all sides of the colourful Aboriginal artwork on the box and found a couple more on each side.
"Only one side did not have any, and I attempted to remove the ones there, but they were very stuck."
Ms McClure reached out to the Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) chair, Chris Harrison, as well as emailed the council.
She said she is particularly angered because this has happened amid all the efforts and work surrounding Mt Arapiles over the past months.
"Efforts that have been above and beyond to make sure all plans are protective as well as inclusive for all," Ms McClure said.
"It's just angering and disappointing to see something like that stuck up around town, encouraging misinformed attitudes towards a group of people who are good people, doing nothing wrong and making moves to improve a local community area."
Horsham Rural City Council later issued a media release stating it was dismayed by the appearance of racially motivated stickers aimed at the BGLC scattered across the CBD.
"This racially targeted vandalism is wholly unacceptable," it read.
"While Council staff have removed the offensive materials, doing so has diverted time and resources from other services.
"BGLC stands as a legitimate, legally recognised authority and represents the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk Peoples, recognised through a Federal Court Native Title Consent Determination in December 2005.
"BGLC is also appointed as the Registered Aboriginal Party under Victoria's Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, granting formal responsibility for managing cultural heritage in the region."
Mayor Ian Ross condemned the racism targeting BGLC.
"These disgraceful stickers are not mere acts of vandalism; they're directed at a body with meaningful cultural and legal authority, and this behaviour has no place here," he said.
"BGLC is an integral partner in our region's heritage and governance.
"We stand united against racism and condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms."
Council urges all members of the community to call out all socially unacceptable and non-inclusive behaviour, including racism and encourage reporting of any incidents of racially targeted vandalism or graffiti to them or Victoria Police immediately.