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Anonymous criminals target another Aussie heritage statue weeks after restoration

Danielle F.
By Danielle F.
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History is a vital part of Australia's rich heritage.

As a tribute to all these influential figures who shaped the country, statues and artworks with their likeness are also on display for everyone to see.

Yet, one quiet night, a piece of Australian history was once again the focus of controversy and vandalism.


The Captain Cook statue in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens became the latest target in a series of attacks on colonial monuments across the country.

Captain Cook's statue was once again defaced weeks after its restoration.

This incident sparked a conversation among Australians about heritage, history, and the ongoing debate over the legacy of colonial figures.


compressed-Captain Cook.jpeg
Captain Cook's statue had visible signs of damage and tearing. Image Credit: YouTube/10 News First


Captain Cook was a figure synonymous with the European discovery of Australia, which landed him a spot in Fitzroy Gardens.

At around 2 am, security patrols discovered the defacement and alerted the police.

The vandals' attempt to decapitate the statue was thwarted.

However, the statue suffered from damage.


The offenders spray-painted Captain Cook's cottage and attempted to remove the statue's head.

The statue suffered from damages some time ago after offenders vandalised and sawed off the statue's ankles.

This act of vandalism is part of a larger pattern.

Last year, just days ahead of Australia Day, two colonial monuments were also targeted by offenders.

Their targets included a Captain Cook sculpture in St Kilda.


Earlier this year, a masked vandal stole the heads of statues representing former Australian prime ministers Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd from the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

These acts reflected the deep divisions and complex feelings surrounding Australia's colonial past and the treatment of Indigenous peoples.

Detectives launched an investigation towards the matter.

See what happened to Captain Cook's statue here:

Source: 10 News First/YouTube​

They started reviewing nearby CCTV footage, hoping to identify those responsible for the latest act of vandalism.

With these cases of vandalism, community members continue to ponder the implications of such actions and the conversation they ignited about Australia's history.

It's a delicate balance between respecting the past and striving for a more inclusive future.
Key Takeaways

  • Vandals attempted to decapitate a statue of Captain Cook in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens.
  • The offenders also spray-painted Captain Cook's cottage before trying to remove the statue's head.
  • The statue had only recently been reinstalled after previous vandalism where it was sawn off at the ankles.
  • Police have secured nearby CCTV footage in an effort to identify the perpetrators.
How do you think Australia should address its colonial monuments? What does heritage mean to you, and how should it be preserved or altered? Your insights are valuable, so please share your thoughts on this incident in the comments section below.
 
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I get really annoyed when people rattle on about Cook. This country WAS NOT discovered by him. The earliest we know of who came here was the Chinese (proof on a plate in their museum with date in 1400's has complete map of Australia). Then came the Dutch, the Islanders and then Cook who thought it ok to kill the Aboriginals and claim ownership. As many know I am white, of convict stock and when building my family tree found King Billy who ruled most of NSW back in the 1850's. I'd like to pull down all statues which relate to LIES. Sorry folks but you asked and you know I won't lie.
 
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The one word that needs to be considered here. past. Like it or lump it these things happened the people should be recognised as a part of our history. Personally I would like the rotten sod defacing them met with an electric cattle prod.
 
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gamiry said:
I get really annoyed when people rattle on about Cook. This country WAS NOT discovered by him. The earliest we know of who came here was the Chinese (proof on a plate in their museum with date in 1400's has complete map of Australia). Then came the Dutch, the Islanders and then Cook who thought it ok to kill the Aboriginals and claim ownership. As many know I am white, of convict stock and when building my family tree found King Billy who ruled most of NSW back in the 1850's. I'd like to pull down all statues which relate to LIES. Sorry folks but you asked and you know I won't lie.
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Gavin Menzies wrote an excellent book, called "1421, The Year China Discovered the World", in which we can read about the enormous Chinese junks that traversed the globe. I mention this in my own books, however, the Chinese weren't first to plant their feet on Australia - the "indigenous" people arrived here thousands of years before that, from the north, by land bridge, when sea levels were much lower. Later, Indonesian fishermen traded and cohabited with Australian indigenous people living along the north coast, and is well documented.
 
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Adrienne de Bouvier said:
Gavin Menzies wrote an excellent book, called "1421, The Year China Discovered the World", in which we can read about the enormous Chinese junks that traversed the globe. I mention this in my own books, however, the Chinese weren't first to plant their feet on Australia - the "indigenous" people arrived here thousands of years before that, from the north, by land bridge, when sea levels were much lower. Later, Indonesian fishermen traded and cohabited with Australian indigenous people living along the north coast, and is well documented.
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hearty welcome new friend and thank you for your post. Can I still l get this book? I've been telling people for years about the Chinese plate and so many think I'm nuts... well they are half right LOL. Naturally I was only speaking of things I could go back to but I had friends who were Aboriginal and they used to say "you may be white on the outside but you black as us on the inside" Sadly many of these wonderful people are now using wings and I really miss them.
I'd give the world to be able to talk to you. In which State do you live? I'm in Bundaberg Qld., aged 83 in 3 weeks, disabled and deaf but love things like history and archeology and, naturally the people in here... some I actually know personally. I'm also a JP.
Enjoy yourself dear friend. You'll find some wonderful people in here and it's the only chat place I use.
 
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I am not a racist at all in fact my younger brother married a full blood aboriginal my parents raised us as to respect any nationality or religion but nobody should be destroying statues just because you don't agree with things there are probably people who do
 
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Adrienne de Bouvier said:
Gavin Menzies wrote an excellent book, called "1421, The Year China Discovered the World", in which we can read about the enormous Chinese junks that traversed the globe. I mention this in my own books, however, the Chinese weren't first to plant their feet on Australia - the "indigenous" people arrived here thousands of years before that, from the north, by land bridge, when sea levels were much lower. Later, Indonesian fishermen traded and cohabited with Australian indigenous people living along the north coast, and is well documented.
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I'm thrilled to say I've found the book at our local 2nd hand shop and will have it in my hot little hand within the hour. Thank you Adrienne. I could never be called racist after having had penfriends all over the world from age 8 and, as of this morning I'm adding the man from Afghanistan who delivered my litenEasy meals this morning. I personally have known people living in this town from 21 different countries. Sadly some have now earned their wings.
 
Never going to make everybody happy, doesn't matter what anyone says, proof or no proof, the simple fact is you can't rub out history, you live and learn from it( and a lot cant seem to grasp this). But 1 fact the uneducated, vile, bottom of the pond scum who deface these statues and memorials need a history lesson! 15 lashes of a cat o nine tails then a dunkin of salty water😈.
 
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Adrienne de Bouvier said:
Gavin Menzies wrote an excellent book, called "1421, The Year China Discovered the World", in which we can read about the enormous Chinese junks that traversed the globe. I mention this in my own books, however, the Chinese weren't first to plant their feet on Australia - the "indigenous" people arrived here thousands of years before that, from the north, by land bridge, when sea levels were much lower. Later, Indonesian fishermen traded and cohabited with Australian indigenous people living along the north coast, and is well documented.
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So we are all blow ins! So much for "indigenous" - the only ones that are would be the Roos, Emus etc :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
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