In Melbourne, Victoria, the Port Phillip Council has decided to restore a Captain James Cook statue in St. Kilda that was vandalized ahead of Australia Day. The century-old statue was cut at the ankles, defaced, and sprayed with the words “the colony will fall” in red paint. This restoration is a clear message to vandals, reaffirming that they do not dictate public assets in the city.
The council also voted against a motion to consult with the community regarding the reinstatement or removal of the statue. Instead, they supported the repairs and will hold a community consultation on the location and context of the statue. They are working with Heritage Victoria and anticipate having a plan to reinstate the statue in the next few weeks. They will also continue conversations with traditional owner groups to understand their perspectives and history.
In contrast, a separate Captain Cook statue in Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North, was found broken on the ground and covered in red graffiti two days after Australia Day. The Yarra City Council in Melbourne is considering permanently removing this statue due to the seriousness of the new damage. This decision came from a recommendation by council officers, who suggest deaccessioning the object from their collection.