Descendants of Austinmer resident Isabel Boulton installed the chair as a memorial.

Since its installation it has been adorned in all sorts of colours and patterns but the latest drew the ire of Mrs Boulton’s niece Patricia Lee this week.

“As it is now, I would say yes, I’m sorry, it is offensive,” Ms Lee said.

“It’s just like graffiti.”

She had hoped Wollongong City Council might take on the role of upkeep of the iconic concrete bench to ensure it was kept in a “respectful condition”.

A council spokeswoman said it maintained the area around the seat but noted the local community had taken “a level of responsibility” for it.

“Previous community painting of the chair has been accepted as art – and left in-situ,” the spokeswoman said. 

“At this point council is reluctant to interfere with this historic community-led art initiative.”

She said council’s graffiti focus was on “illicit and offensive words and/or images”, none of which appear on the chair’s latest paint job.