A POPULAR tourism destination and culturally significant site in Cheshunt has been damaged by vandals during a senseless graffiti attacked expected to have taken place over the weekend.
A visitor to Paradise Falls is believed to have discovered the large-scale graffiti, which has covered a section at the base of the 31-metre sedimentary rock formation, in the Alpine National Park.
Whitfield Leading Senior Constable Paul Guy, who visited the site on Monday morning, said he had been liaising with the relevant authorities, and an investigation is underway.
He said the graffiti was discovered by a member of the public on Sunday at about 12.30pm, who posted photos to social media, with Parks Victoria also heading out to the site early on Monday.
"While we were pretty confident it was a legitimate image, some people had initially commented on social media it may have been AI - and we were hoping that would be the case - but unfortunately the graffiti is there," he said.
"It's about 10 metres wide and two metres high on the rock face where the waterfall would usually come over.
"Parks Victoria made an official complaint to Victoria Police, we have inspected the scene, and evidence found at the scene (including a spray can) will be forensically examined."
While LSC Paul Guy said the vandalism could have taken place between Thursday and Sunday, he said it was most likely to have happened on Saturday night, as it would have taken some time to complete so be done under cover of darkness.
He said having received plenty of media exposure, he was hopeful someone would recognise the graffiti tag and contact him at the Whitfield Police Station on 5729 8282.
LSC Paul Guy said the clean-up will be organised by Parks Victoria and it will be delicate process, as they will need to consider the environmental impact and maintain the fragile integrity of the rock formation, which is of cultural significance to local Indigenous people.
He said he was shocked and disappointed to see what had been done to the site.
"As well as being a cultural site it's a place of natural beauty which all Victorians enjoy visiting, and to be met with an ugly graffiti tag on the rock face is so disappointing," he said.
Anyone who recognises the graffiti tag, witnessed suspicious behaviour or can help with the investigation is encouraged to call the Whitfield Police Station on 5729 8282 (or call Crimestoppers).
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King Valley in brief
Moyhu Lions May market
THE Moyhu Lions Club will hold its next community market on Saturday, 17 May from 8am to 12pm at the Moyhu Lions Park.
There will be about 30 stalls showcasing local produce, plants, hand-crafted items, clothing and giftware along with delicious food and more.
The Moyhu CFA will be holding this month's raffle with money raised going towards their fundraising efforts towards a second tanker.
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Cheshunt Biggest Morning Tea
AN Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event will be held at the Cheshunt Hall on Wednesday, 21 May at 10.30am onwards.
Bring a plate to share or just come along and join in the fun, with a delicious morning tea on offer, a trading table, and donations welcome in support of the Cancer Council.
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King Valley Film Club June screening
THE next screening of the King Valley Film Club at the Cheshunt Hall will be on Tuesday, June 10 with doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
The movie will be A Complete Unknown (2025), a biographical film about Bob Dylan, based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, starring Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton and Elle Fanning.
Annual membership is $40 per person (six films a year, on the second Tuesday night, bi-monthly) with more information and membership available at https://kingvalleyarts.com.au/film-club/
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