A statue of British hero Captain James Cook has been vandalised just days before Australia Day celebrations kick off.
The sandstone monument of the explorer and naval captain situated in Randwick, Sydney, was doused in red paint for the second year in a row.
Vandals also knocked the hand and part of the nose off of the statue on Belmore Road, with New South Wales police announcing they are investigating.
Cook chartered and claimed the east coast of Australia for Britain in 1770, which laid the groundwork for Captain Arthur Phillip to send the First Fleet 18 years later.
Cook chartered and claimed the east coast of Australia for Britain in 1770
Reuters
Randwick mayor, Labor’s Dylan Parker, said the damage done to the Cook statue was an “act of vandalism” that did “a disservice to reconciliation”.
“Vandalism is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause,” he said.
“Council staff are currently actioning plans to clean and restore the statue.”
Dr Carolyn Martin, a Liberal councillor in the suburb, said the statue was left in an “absolute mess”.
“I’m here with a council worker that looked after it last time when it was damaged, and just to restore it is such a big effort and expense,” Martin said. “But that aside … we’re all just horrified.”
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Randwick mayor, Labor’s Dylan Parker, said the damage done to the Cook statue was an ‘act of vandalism’
Reuters
However, Philipa Veitch, a Randwick Greens councillor, said in a statement that the statue was “a painful reminder of the devastating impacts of colonisation, which continues to this day”.
“It’s time to look at other options, including its placement in a museum,” she said. “I’m sure there are many local artists who could be commissioned to create a much more appropriate and inclusive work.”
Australia Day is held every year on January 26 and commemorates Britain’s First Fleet landing at Sydney Cove in 1788. This year, as the day falls on a Sunday, it will be held on Monday 27 instead.
The national holiday is a polarizing day for those in the country.
Vandals also knocked the hand and part of the nose off of the statue on Belmore Road,
Reuters
Many Indigenous Australians see January 26 as the day when their lands began to be colonised. Vigils, protests and ceremonies are held during the holiday, which many call Invasion Day.
However for others, it is a celebration of the nation’s history, culture and achievements and polling suggests a majority of people are supportive of keeping the holiday.
Last year, a different statue of the explorer located in Melbourne was pulled down just before Australia Day. Its plinth had been spray-painted with the words “the colony will fall”.
Two years before, it had been splashed with red paint and prior to that, it had been graffitied with the words “no pride”.