In a recent unfortunate incident, the Girl and Goat Cafe, a beloved local establishment, fell victim to vandalism, leaving its exterior marred with graffiti. The incident was met with swift and heartening community response.
The cafe took to social media to express gratitude to a group of generous individuals who, despite scorching 40-degree heat, selflessly donated their time, effort, and equipment to paint over the graffiti. Notable mentions include Danny, Ben.T, Ben.J, Lizzie, Ash, Paul, Carolyn, Mike, Nat, Grace, Mick, Barb, Steve, Ricky, Emily, and Grant.
Grant from Colourful Coats Painting played a crucial role in salvaging the cafe’s logo, showcasing both expertise and care. The community’s unity was further exemplified by Naomi and Eamon, who collected and delivered additional paint for the restoration.
Surprisingly, Federal MP Dan Repacholi and his Senior Advisor, Chad, extended a helping hand. Chad reached out to the cafe owner, expressing concern and offering assistance in the cleanup efforts.
However, the community’s resilience didn’t stop at restoration. Frustrated by the increase in crime in the Greta/Branxton/Huntlee/North Rothbury area, the cafe urged residents to join forces. They called for support in advocating for a permanent 24-hour manned police station, encouraging locals to email both Dan Repacholi MP and Clayton Barr MP, Member for Cessnock.
Despite facing challenges with local police staffing and workload, the cafe owner acknowledged multiple anonymous individuals who reached out after recognizing the graffiti tag or the perpetrator from CCTV footage. This information has been forwarded to local law enforcement with hopes of an investigation.