Jamberoo Builder Transforms Lawn Vandalism into Community Art Project
In an unexpected turn of events, Rick Smith, a tiny house builder based in Jamberoo, has turned a case of offensive graffiti into a lighthearted community competition. The incident began when Smith discovered that someone had used poison to etch a large, phallic image into the grass at his Havenwood Tiny Homes premises on Jamberoo Mountain Road.
From Vandalism to Viral Sensation
Smith, who describes himself as a "glass half-full" kind of person, noticed the grass dying off over several days before realising the extent of the damage. "I thought, 'Whoa, check that out - someone's bloody done a bit of graffiti on the front lawn,'" he recalled. Concerned about the impact on his eco-tourism business, he initially considered hiding the image but soon shifted his approach.
Inspired by his wife, Smith launched a competition calling for a Mr or Mrs Squiggle to redesign the poisoned lawn into something more suitable. The winner will receive a night's accommodation at the newly approved Havenwood eco cabins in Jamberoo, sparking a wave of creative suggestions from the public.
Creative Ideas Flood In
The response to an Instagram post about the competition has been overwhelming, with numerous design proposals submitted. Suggestions include:
- Transforming the drawing into a garden with a water feature
- Reshaping it into an aeroplane or caravan silhouette
- Creating a dinosaur emerging from the grass
"I want the Mr Squiggles of the world to come out of the woodwork and say 'Ricko, I can turn that into something that's probably more adaptable to your eco-tourism,'" Smith explained. He emphasised his positive outlook, noting, "There's enough negativity in this world ... I thought mate, let's just make fun of it - so we did."
A Positive Outlook Amid Challenges
Smith's optimistic attitude extends beyond this incident. Just days before discovering the graffiti, he suffered a serious injury while working, losing part of a finger in an accident. "I was under a tiny house and a brake drum took the little finger off - cut it clean in half," he shared. However, he praised the surgical team at Sydney Hospital for their repair work and remains undeterred, stating, "I haven't got time to bleed, I'm too busy."
The lawn graffiti has unexpectedly become a local attraction, with people stopping to take photos. "We didn't realise it was going to go viral," Smith admitted. "It's been a real novelty ... it's just a bit of fun, it's turned into something happy." This incident highlights how a negative situation can be transformed into an opportunity for creativity and community engagement in the Illawarra region.
