Updated December 18, 2017 08:18:54

Photo: Entertainer Rolf Harris paints the mural at Warrnambool's theatre in 1986. (Supplied: Warrnambool Standard)

Domestic violence advocates are calling for a mural painted by convicted sex offender Rolf Harris to be removed from a south-west Victorian theatre.

Painted by the 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport' singer in 1986, the mural was once the crowning jewel of Warrnambool's Lighthouse Theatre.

But it is the council-run gallery's public stance against domestic violence, through its support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, that has some questioning how the painting can remain on its walls.

"How can they back a campaign to end gender-based violence, while we have a mural, painted by a convicted paedophile, hidden under perspex?" said Carol Altmann, a Warrnambool-based activist and writer.

"I just find those two completely at odds with each other. What kind of message is this sending to victims?"

As a show of solidarity, the Warrnambool City Council voted to cover the mural in 2015 after Harris was convicted for indecently assaulting four girls in the United Kingdom.

However, in light of the theatre's foray into social activism, advocates believe it should be removed entirely.

"Hiding the mural behind perspex is exactly what's been happening with sexual abuse," Warrnambool City Councillor Peter Hulin said.

"We're covering it up and pretending it's not there."

Photo: The mural Rolf Harris painted in Warrnambool's Lighthouse Theatre, prior to being covered in 2015. (ABC South West Victoria: Jeremy Lee)

While the mural's significance to Warrnambool remains a point of contention, the council has agreed to revisit its position on the issue.

However, despite condemning the actions of Rolf Harris, some within the council have warned destroying the painting would set a dangerous precedent.

"The Nazis did the same thing in Germany in the 1930s," said Bruce Anson, CEO of the Warrnambool City Council.

"Now this can't compare to that, but I think it's along the same vein."

It has prompted fierce debate within the coastal community about the preservation of history, and where a line would be drawn if the mural was to be removed.

"There have been other artists who, unfortunately, were paedophiles," Mr Anson said.

"Do we destroy their records or burn their books?"

The council is expected to be presented with a petition to remove the mural later this month.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, art-history, law-crime-and-justice, sexual-offences, warrnambool-3280, terang-3264, camperdown-3260, penshurst-2222, lismore-3324, cobden-3266, colac-3250, hamilton-3300, portland-3305, port-fairy-3284

First posted December 18, 2017 08:13:58