By Blessing Nweke
In an overnight act of protest on the eve of Australia Day, a century-old Captain James Cook statue was severed at the ankles, and a Queen Victoria monument was drenched in red paint in Melbourne. Both incidents, now under police investigation, are seen as acts of opposition to the celebration of January 26, marking the arrival of Britain’s First Fleet in 1788 and the beginning of Australia’s colonial era.
The vandals left a stark message on the plinth of the Cook statue, proclaiming, “The colony will fall.” This act follows a history of vandalism directed at the 1914 monument, which commemorates Cook’s 1768-1771 voyage, including a previous red paint attack in 2022 and graffiti with the words “no pride” in 2018, accompanied by an Aboriginal flag.
Victoria Police stated that the vandalism occurred in the early hours of Thursday, with witnesses reporting several individuals in the vicinity at the time. The statue’s location in St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne, adds historical significance to the act.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the vandalism, asserting that it has “no place in our community.” She pledged collaboration with the council to repair and reinstate the statue in St Kilda. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to clean the defaced Queen Victoria memorial in the city center.
Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo expressed her understanding of diverse views surrounding Australia Day but firmly disapproved of the “vandalism of a public asset where costs will be ultimately borne by ratepayers.” Despite the council arranging for a security guard to protect the Cook statue on Thursday, the incident occurred before their scheduled arrival.
Opinion polls indicate that approximately two-thirds of Australians support celebrating Australia Day on January 26. However, Indigenous Australians and other dissenting voices argue against commemorating a date symbolizing the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. The rise of “Invasion Day” protests in recent years reflects a growing movement opposing the holiday, with many choosing to boycott the celebrations. The incidents in Melbourne highlight the ongoing tension and division surrounding the historical significance of Australia Day.