Police confirmed with the Epoch Times that they are investigating a second incident involving the toppling of a Captain James Cook statute in Melbourne’s north, just two days after Australia Day. Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy is where the broken statue was found, along with red paint and the phrase “Cook the colony” sprayed on the ground. A Victorian police spokesperson stated that they are calling for anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
Captain Cook is known as a renowned explorer who charted and claimed the eastern coast of Australia for Britain on his first voyage between 1768 and 1771, and this vandalism comes after a similar incident on January 25th when another statue of Captain Cook in St. Kilda Melbourne was cut at the ankles and defaced.
Victoria Police assured that they are continuing to investigate the incidents. Members of the public had reported the incident with the Captain Cook Memorial at 3.30am. Police and other officials expressed anger and disappointment over the incidents and stressed that acts of vandalism have no place in their community.
While the Port Phillip Council has supported a mourning reflection ceremony on Australia Day, mayor Heather Cunsolo expressed disapproval at the vandalism since the cost will ultimately be paid by ratepayers.
This is not the first time a statue of Captain Cook has been witness to vandalism. Red paint was splashed on a monument at the expense of ratepayers on a previous Australia Day. Australia Day, which marks First Fleet commander Governor Arthur Phillip raising the Union Jack flag at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788, establishing convict settlement in Australia, is a day that many find controversial, hence the protests that took place that day.