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.


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:

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.
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.