Criminals have vandalised and stolen flowers planted by schoolchildren as part of Hobsons Bay’s Art in Public Places program.
A public art project known as the “Hanging Gardens of Newport” suffered a setback after thieves stole three baskets of white petunias – some of which were planted by blind schoolchildren – from Challis Street at the weekend.
Three baskets of flowers were vandalised in the same street on March 29, the night that at least 26 cars were graffitied and several shops tagged.
Newport Traders Association secretary Phoebe Giles said four schools had worked with businesses to beautify five street shopping strips, each with its own colour theme.
“How dare you take plants that children have planted and given to the shopkeepers to be the caretakers now,” she said. “Someone would have to get on a ladder to get those plants down. When you saw the little preppies trying to carry these heavy watering cans, it just melted you.”
Newport Gardens Primary School planted red petunias in Hall Street; Newport Lakes Primary School planted mauve petunias with lime green artwork in Mason Street; Bayside P-12 College planted white flowers with bluebirds and blue artwork in Challis Street; and Sacred Heart Primary School planted orange and yellow flowers in Melbourne Road North and purple petunias in Melbourne Road South.
Art in Public Places features the work of western region artists in unexpected places across Hobsons Bay until April 30.
This week a “Clear your conscience” confession wall will be launched in Pier Street, Altona, where people can reveal and read others’ secrets.
