Randwick Council Liberals call for Captain Cook statue security boost, Federation celebrations

A heritage listed statue in Sydney’s east, which has been disfigured and splashed with red paint, could be set for bolstered security amid calls to protect a ‘national hero’.

A heritage-listed statue, which has been disfigured and splashed with red paint, could soon be set for a security overhaul in a move to protect local history.

The Randwick Captain Cook statue has been targeted two years in a row, with the most recent incident on January 24 when the 149-year-old figure was splattered with paint and had its nose and hand broken off.

The incident is believed to be a political statement regarding Australia Day.

A year earlier, also close to Australia Day, the 12 foot statue was doused in red paint.

Police are investigating the latest incident and have released security tape showing a man and woman they believe can assist with inquiries.

Police at the Captain Cook statue after the vandalism.

Randwick councillor Andrew Hay is calling for bolstered security measures and will raise the issue at Tuesday’s council meeting following the “brutal vandalism”.

His notice of motion calls for “a comprehensive security audit of the area” with “appropriate security camera recordings”.

Specifically, Cr Hay wants CCTV cameras pointing at the statue to deter like minded vandals and assist future police investigations.

“It was targeted twice in a year, hopefully we can send out a clear warning by putting better security in place and better camera recording,” he said

The statue’s hand was broken off.

“It’s the most logical place you would want security cameras.”

Cr Hay said having “high resolution footage” as opposed to “grainy CCTV” would be a huge advantage.

“I’m optimistic and I sincerely hope it won’t be happening again, but we can’t take that for granted,” Cr Hay said

“It’s an attack on our history and culture, but more than that it’s an attack on and a smear of a good man who was a scientist and a explorer.

“They’re trying to say he had something to do with colonialism, but he was 16 years before the colony was formed. He’s not a colonist.”

Cr Hay also wants the statue restored and “cared for as the artwork that it is”, citing Captain Cook’s “national hero” status.

Cr Hay with the Randwick Captain Cook statue undergoing refurbishments.

Restoration works are already underway on the statue, which are costing Randwick Council around $40,000.

The calls for more security will be supported by Randwick’s Liberals who want council to “reaffirm its commitment to celebrating the Australian way of life”.

Cr Christie Hamilton said the Randwick Liberals were “collectively fed up with division being created in our community by some sectors”, adding their aim was “bringing the narrative back from the left”.

Plans for a month long celebration to honour Australia’s 125 year anniversary of federation will also be proposed for January 2026.

The Liberals will also request a “review of Australia Day Flag designs”, saying flags should “depict imagery commonly associated with the celebrations” including the national flag and “iconic colours and animals that are synonymous and unique to our country”.

Cr Daniel Rosenfeld is also raising a motion at the meeting calling for Harmony Week celebrations to “include healing for the Jewish Community”.