The sign depicting a beautifully constructed wrought iron whale tail sits on the southern entrance of the Bega Valley shire at the Timbillica turnoff close to the Victorian border. 

According to a Bega Valley Shire Council spokesperson the sign was erected on Monday evening and was  tagged with green spray paint overnight. BVSC were quick to respond and the graffiti was removed swiftly. 

"We really don't want repeat occurrences of this situation. The signs are a long-awaited, thoughtful symbol recognising the traditional custodians and welcoming people to our shire," the spokesperson said. 

The sculpture was the first of the long-awaited signs to be erected on three entrances of the shire after a lengthy consultation process between BVSC and traditional custodians. A wallaby at the top of Brown Mountain and a cow scene north of Cobargo will be placed over the coming months.