Randwick mayor Philipa Veitch calls for Captain Cook statue removal after vandalism

A Sydney mayor has called for a Captain Cook statue to be removed after it was vandalised, saying it was a “reminder of colonial oppression”, but others have labelled the comments “divisive”.

A Sydney mayor has called for a 114-year-old statue in the eastern suburbs to be removed, saying it was a “reminder of colonial oppression” after it was vandalised for the second time in almost four years.

Randwick Council said in a Facebook statement the Captain Cook statue in Randwick was vandalised on February 15 and it was working with local police “who are investigating the matter”.

The council also said it had engaged heritage stonework specialists to “repair the monument” and condemned “all acts of vandalism”.

While acknowledging the council’s condemnation, Randwick Greens Mayor Philipa Veitch said it was her “strong personal view” that statues, like Captain Cook, “should be taken down and removed from our civic spaces”.

“They stand as a symbol and reminder of colonial oppression,” she said.

Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch. Photo: Mark Bond

Captain Cook statue in Randwick was vandalised. Photo: Randwick Council

“The statue should be removed out of respect for those residents who have been impacted and for those who would like to make tangible steps toward truth telling and genuine reconciliation.”

Ms Veitch said it would be “more appropriate” for the statue to be donated to the Maritime Museum.

However, Liberal Cr Christie Hamilton criticised Ms Veitch, saying she had broadcasted an “extremely divisive position”.

“We (Randwick Council) voted to call out vandalism and are committed to repairing the statue,” she said.

“The mayor is practising fringe activism and wants to censor our history and cancel figures that represent the liberal democracy and freedom of speech that Cook represented.

Ms Hamilton said the freedoms “we have today” contribute positively to the Australian way of life.

“What’s next I ask? Will the mayor want to rip down the Memorial for Fallen Lifesavers on Coogee beach? Will the mayor want to cancel Anzac Day?,” she said.

“Will she go after the surf clubs and try to get them removed from the beaches?”

Cr Bill Burst echoed his fellow Liberal’s comments, arguing that removing the statue would set a “dangerous precedent” and the council “shouldn’t try to change history”.

“It’s woke virtue signalling … it doesn’t change anything,” he said.

“All it’s doing is removing some of our history … that’s what happens in communist countries.”

Captain Cook statue in Randwick was vandalised. Photo: Randwick Council

Despite independent Cr Noel D’Souza accepting Cook “represents adventure, exploration and discovery” to some, he said “to others, especially our Indigenous people, he represents brutal conquest, invasion and enslavement”.

He joined Ms Veitch’s call for its removal, saying it should be replaced with a memorial symbolising “healing, justice, hope and inclusion”.

A NSW Police spokesman said it was aware of the incident with local officers attending the scene on February 19 and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

It comes after the statue, which was the first to commemorate Cook in NSW, was vandalised with black spray paint, with the words “sovereignty” and “no pride in genocide” in June, 2020.

Neighbouring City of Sydney last year moved to diversify its statues, with plans to prioritise significant women as part of a policy aimed at levelling the gender playing field in public art.

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