Backlash over Wagga Council's swift removal of ‘End Domestic Violence’ sign at Michael Slater Oval

Wagga Wagga City Council’s (WWCC) swift removal of an ‘End Domestic Violence’ sticker that vigilantes had placed over a Michael Slater Oval sign has been criticised as symbolic of attempts to silence those speaking out against violence.

The name of the sporting field has been the subject of contention in town ever since Wagga-born former Australian Test cricketer Slater was convicted of domestic violence offences in 2022.

In May 2024, Wagga Council voted to change the name, though it has not actioned this decision.

Nevertheless, anonymous vandals took matters into their own hands on the weekend. Council was quick to rectify this by covering up the anti-violence message on Tuesday (4 March), a move that caught the ire of Wagga Women’s Health Centre president and prominent feminist Vickie Burkinshaw.

“We’re on the cusp of International Women’s Day and there is a long way to go in terms of gender equality. Sometimes, out of sheer frustration, people find a little way of clawing back some power,” Ms Burkinshaw said.

“For me, that sign was an act of someone saying, ‘This is the only way that I can claw back some of this power in an environment where gender inequality is still prevalent in our community,’ and by silencing voices, we’re not solving the problem.

“I believe conversations need to happen, and we need to have more of them. The act of covering up that statement silences the opportunity to have these discussions and openly talk as a community about what we’re doing to prevent violence against women.”

Region contacted WWCC to ask why it painted over the ‘End Domestic Violence’ sign.

“The graffiti on the sign at the previously named Michael Slater Oval was removed by staff. All graffiti is removed from council property as soon as possible,” a WWCC spokesperson said.

However, Ms Burkinshaw said there were other signs at Bolton Park with graffiti the council was yet to remove, including the defacing of the Mark Taylor Oval sign that remained visible for weeks.

“Clearly, the community is frustrated with the council’s inability to tackle this issue. They agreed in May of last year to rename the oval, and nothing has been done,” she said.

“It’s an act of sheer frustration on multiple levels. First, the council agreed that the sign needed to be changed and the oval renamed — yet no action has been taken since last year.

“Second, there is still a crisis around domestic violence in our community that the council should be doing more to address.”

Ms Burkinshaw said she was tired of hearing her own voice in needing to do better as a community.

“We need to do more, and when that voice is consistently silenced or not met with the urgency it deserves, it frustrates us as women,” she said.

“We feel a deep sense of anger, but also a passion to create change and drive energy around this issue — saying we can do better as a community.”

Ms Burkinshaw said the council’s swift removal of the sign showed where it chose to allocate its resources.

“Instead of using this as an opportunity for conversation, they’d rather silence it, even though it could spark important discussions,” she said.

“With International Women’s Day approaching, it’s the perfect time for us as a community to come together and ask, what can we do to have open conversations about improving the safety of women? This is about women having agency over their own power and bodies. Now is the time for us to step up together and make a difference.”

Cr Jenny McKinnon said she acknowledged the community’s concern about the oval’s name.

“My understanding is that the council will consider the name at a workshop during this term — a commitment made last term. I look forward to the deliberations and to making a decision,” she said.

WWCC said the workshop for councillors to rediscuss a potential change to the oval’s name would be held, though a date had not been set.