NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • Deloitte Fast 50
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Lifestyle

Neighbour's nasty letter calls Melbourne chalk artist 'pretentious p**ck'

By Stephanie Bedo
news.com.au·
30 Oct, 2020 05:10 AM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Melbourne mum Fiona Cracknell has been creating impressive chalk drawings for her neighbourhood during lockdown. Photo / Supplied

Melbourne mum Fiona Cracknell has been creating impressive chalk drawings for her neighbourhood during lockdown. Photo / Supplied

Fiona Crackwell's chalk drawings are loved by people who have seen photos of them across the world.

But one person in the Melbourne mum's neighbourhood is not a fan, sending a complaint to the local council and leaving a copy of the nasty letter in her mailbox.

Crackwell shared the letter she received on her Facebook group saying she couldn't believe it.

The anonymous complainant labelled the art destructive graffiti, said it wasn't allowed on a council footpath and was dangerous to the community because it could cause people to slip.

"I've copied this letter to the pretentious p**cks at that house in the hope they will see this letter as a warning and cease their crap," they wrote.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
The letter Fiona Cracknell found in her mailbox. Photo / Supplied
The letter Fiona Cracknell found in her mailbox. Photo / Supplied
The neighbour believes the chalk drawings are dangerous. Photo / Supplied
The neighbour believes the chalk drawings are dangerous. Photo / Supplied

"They may also get it into their skulls that graffiti of council land is illegal. Placing the lives of locals at risk."

They finished the letter by asking who they would sue, the "pretentious p**cks" or the Hume City Council.

Crackwell said all she was doing was bringing joy to the community.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Not cause drama and second, the council loves it," she said. "For the first time in ages I have brought positive news to Gladstone Park.

Most people love Ms Cracknell's impressive work. Photo / Cracknell Chalk drawings/Facebook
Most people love Ms Cracknell's impressive work. Photo / Cracknell Chalk drawings/Facebook

"I cannot believe this! I am really upset and angry. All I wanted was to make people smile at a time they needed it the most."

Crackwell was inundated with support, with hundreds of fans commenting they wanted the art to stay.

The Melbourne mum wanted to spark some joy in lockdown. Photo / Cracknell Chalk drawings/Facebook
The Melbourne mum wanted to spark some joy in lockdown. Photo / Cracknell Chalk drawings/Facebook

"Times have been hard as of recently and you've been able to bring … a lot of positivity across communities," one woman wrote.

Discover more

New Zealand

Survey shows how Kiwis feel about friends after Covid-19

01 Nov 04:00 PM
Entertainment

'NZCovidCamps': Kiwis react to Fox News

30 Oct 02:53 AM
World

Trump packs rallies as infections spike

30 Oct 02:46 AM
Her designs have caught attention around the world. Photo / Cracknell Chalk drawings/Facebook
Her designs have caught attention around the world. Photo / Cracknell Chalk drawings/Facebook

"I mean I'm in Geelong!! And I know about your amazing artwork! If this goes further I will happily sign a petition. You must stay!!! It's not permanent or needs chemicals to remove, I don't see how it can be 'graffiti'.

"People need to lighten up a bit."

Another woman wrote, "That's is absolutely crazy, I'm so sorry you had to go through that as you bring so much joy. There's always one in the pack unfortunately."

One person asked Crackwell to do a Trolls movie theme for next week and nominate all the haters and trolls in the neighbourhood.

"Success is the best form of revenge," another fan said.

Crackwell did several media interviews as a result today, with people joking "Debbie downer" had made her famous and would no doubt be angry about all the further support.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It looks as if the Hume City Council is also on Crackwell's side.

A council spokesperson said, "Chalk messages and drawings on streets have been developed by children and adults alike during the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing hope and joy to Victorians during this difficult time.

"Council will not issue any fines for these drawings or ask for them to be removed."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Lifestyle

Premium
Lifestyle

No snacking and plain food: Why an upper-class diet is better for your health

Premium
Lifestyle

What to expect when you’ve been caught having an affair

Premium
Lifestyle

Advice: I’m losing my memory. Why is my husband being insensitive about it?


Sponsored

Sponsored: Why heat pumps make winter cheaper

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Premium
Premium
No snacking and plain food: Why an upper-class diet is better for your health
Lifestyle

No snacking and plain food: Why an upper-class diet is better for your health

Telegraph: Why an aristocratic diet may be good news for your health.

21 Jul 06:30 AM
Premium
Premium
What to expect when you’ve been caught having an affair
Lifestyle

What to expect when you’ve been caught having an affair

21 Jul 12:00 AM
Premium
Premium
Advice: I’m losing my memory. Why is my husband being insensitive about it?
Lifestyle

Advice: I’m losing my memory. Why is my husband being insensitive about it?

20 Jul 06:00 PM


Sponsored: Why heat pumps make winter cheaper
Sponsored

Sponsored: Why heat pumps make winter cheaper

01 Jul 04:58 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP