Colonial memorials toppled, defaced four days before Australia Day
Updated ,first published
Vandals toppled a monument to Victoria’s first colonial settlers in the early hours of the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi massacre.
Police say they believe vandals used machinery to destroy the Pioneer Monument in Flagstaff Gardens between 10pm on Wednesday and 6am on Thursday morning, causing it to break into several pieces.
The words “go back” and “death to Australia” were written on a broken piece of stone and on the steps of the monument commemorating the cemetery of early colonial settlers.
An inverted red triangle was also sprayed onto the monument, a symbol historically associated with anti-fascist and other left-wing political movements and more recently with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
The Separation Monument, erected in Flagstaff Gardens in 1950 to mark the centenary of Victoria’s separation from New South Wales, was also vandalized with red paint.
Victoria Police said: “The crime scene has been located and the investigation is ongoing.”
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan described the vandalism as disgraceful.
“Even on a day of love and unity, these people cannot stop themselves from encouraging hatred and destruction,” he said.
“Victoria Police will be investigating and I would urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Groups who continue to commit these crimes must face the full force of the law.”
Opposition leader Jess Wilson also condemned “this disgusting act on a day when our state mourns the murder of 15 innocent people”.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community today as we mourn, reflect and remember the victims of the Bondi Massacre,” he said.
There have been numerous similar acts of vandalism targeting monuments, statues and statues in Melbourne in previous years. even the trees Pointing to Australia’s colonial history.
In 2024, the statue of Captain James Cook in St Kilda’s Catani Gardens was cut off at the ankles and “the colony will fall” was spray-painted on its base. The same statue was painted red in 2022.
Samuel Craven’s Pioneer Monument was erected in Flagstaff Gardens in 1871 to honor some of the colony’s early pioneers, whose remains are buried near the site.
Gardens were elevated places from which early colonists could see incoming ships.
Anyone who witnessed the incident in Flagstaff Gardens and has information about the area or has CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online to: www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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