A graffiti attack on Willetton Bowling Club has left a foul taste in the mouth of both bowling club members and the real estate agent personally referenced in the crude act.
Willetton Bowling Club president Ricki Phillips said she was shocked by the vulgar nature of the graffiti, which was put up some time between Friday night and Saturday morning.
“We had an event on Friday that ended at about 10.30pm, and in the morning the neighbour of our greensman called him and asked him if he was aware of the graffiti,” she said.
“It’s terrible, it’s awful, I’m not sure what it’s all about, it’s got nothing to do with the bowling club, there’s no mention of us.”
The graffiti referenced controversial social media identity Andrew Tate, following his arrest in Romania on human trafficking and rape charges, and American rapper Kayflow – currently awaiting trial on a first-degree murder charge.
The most ire was reserved for local real estate agent, and sole moderator of the I Love Willetton Facebook page, Don Asplin, with comments Examiner News simply cannot print.
Ms Phillips said she had no idea why Mr Asplin was targeted on the wall of her club as he is not a member of the club
On January 7, through the I Love Willetton page, Mr Asplin offered a $10,000 cash reward In exchange for the identity of the people responsible for the graffiti.
That post has since been deleted, with follow-up post indicating he may have found the culprits.
“Thank you to all the people who contacted me, especially all the kids at Willetton High School you are the best,” he wrote.
“We don’t have to put up with this, lots of small bits of information have been very helpful.
“I have received and passed on an amazing amount of information about the identities and addresses of the children responsible.
“Initially fragmented, with some help from some very clever IT professionals they have linked all sorts of sources. It is not sufficient to tie them to this specific incidence, however it builds a picture of other damage and theft.
“One thing I am sure of, is they are so thick and feel so inadequate about their pathetic little lives they are desperate to feel validated.
“They will not be able to help themselves and will do this again to try and make themselves feel like they matter. In reality they are irrelevant little grubs of no significance.”
Mr Asplin did not respond to interview requests from Examiner News.
Ms Phillips had nothing but high praise for the City of Canning.
As owners of the building, the city had the graffiti fully removed by Tuesday morning.
The city offers free graffiti removal wipes and kits for all residents and local businesses.
WA Police crime statistics reveal that within the entire City of Canning, only 37 instances of graffiti were recorded in the 2021-2022 financial year.
Seven suburbs – East Cannington, Shelley, Rossmoyne, Ferndale, Riverton, St James and Leeming – recorded 0 instances of graffiti, while Willetton topped the list with nine, followed by Bentley and Welshpool.
Acting Cannington Police OIC Ian Wilson said it was likely residents didn’t realise they could report graffiti online through the WA Police website.
“It is probably under-reported,” he said.
“I think many people don’t realise you can report graffiti through the Goodbye Graffiti website.
“If It’s something we can action we certainly will take action.”
Canning mayor Patrick Hall said graffiti on city buildings such as the Willetton Bowling Club cost the city $139,000 in the 2021/22 financial year.
“The City of Canning receives reports of graffiti from a variety of sources including staff, ratepayers and businesses within the city,” he said.
“Graffiti removal is usually carried out by City staff or contractors where required.
“Once remediation works are started at a site, the work is usually completed on the day or day after, depending on the nature of the work required.
“It should be noted that the act of graffiti is criminal damage under the provisions of the Graffiti Vandalism Act of 2016 and as such is a police responsibility.
“Only WA Police have the authority to investigate reports of graffiti or prosecute offenders.
“While residents may inadvertently report graffiti damage to the city, the city requests that residents report graffiti damage to the most appropriate authority – the WA Police.”
Graffiti can be reported to police via goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au
