Alleged vandals target Bendigo Golden Dragon Museum and Buddhist temple in cultural attack causing $100k in damage

Police are hunting for a man and woman who allegedly vandalised Bendigo’s iconic Sun Loong, the oldest and largest intact imperial parade dragon in the entire world.

Police are hunting a man and woman who brought two kids to the Bendigo Golden Dragon Museum and Buddhist temple where they allegedly caused $100,000 in damage to paintings and statues.

On Sunday, May 5, between 1.30pm and 2pm, the man, woman visited the Golden Dragon Museum, where the woman allegedly appeared to discreetly flick a light oily substance from a water bottle.

Police have released the images of two people they beleive can help with their inquiries. Picture: Victoria Police.

Statues, stonework, temple artefacts, artwork, and parading dragons Sun Loong and Loong were targeted.

The 100m long parading dragon Sun Loong is believed to be the oldest and largest intact imperial parade dragon in the entire world.

Iconic in Bendigo for appearing in more than 50 years of Easter Festival Gala Parades, the dragon holds great significance to Central Victoria’s Chinese community.

Sun Loong, Australia's longest Chinese Dragon. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The dragon was brought out of retirement in February to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon.

At about 3pm the same group visited the Great Stupa, where the woman again allegedly flicked contents from a water bottle onto religious objects.

Approximately a dozen statues, both inside and outside the Stupa were damaged.

They left the scene in a silver Toyota Prado with two children who police said were not involved in the incident.

CCTV footage of both sites shows the group was deliberate in its approach to Golden Dragon Museum General Manager Hugo Leschen said.

Golden Dragon Museum gardens, Bridge St, Bendigo. Picture: Zizi Averill

“An attack of this nature, on culturally sensitive objects that have high heritage significance, is

extremely serious and hugely upsetting and disappointing for our staff, the local Chinese community and everyone who takes pride in Bendigo’s unique history,” Mr Leschen said.

“It is hoped no permanent damage has been caused but the liquid is both clear and does not smell, so it is difficult to know at this stage what it is.”

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo.

Great Stupa Chairman Ian Green said there is a long list of damage to sacred objects.

“We expect at least a dozen statues have been targeted, both inside and outside the Great Stupa, including sculptures that we had just finished painting,” he said.

“Due to the nature of the liquid, we are seeing paint lifting on our Saint Francis of Assisi statue and the liquid has also permanently stained a granite wall.”

Victorian Premier and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan condemned the alleged “senseless act” of vandalism in her hometown, saying “it’s hard to fathom a motive”.

“It is outrageous behaviour,” she said.

“It’s disgraceful and it’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to the Chinese community who have been such a big part of Victoria’s history.

“Our Golden Dragon Museum is a wonderful place to celebrate Chinese culture and heritage and how Bendigo and the broader Goldfields was built off the back of so many Chinese migrants coming to find fame and fortune on the Goldfields, and that rich heritage lives on today.”

Both the Golden Dragon Museum and Great Stupa remain open and encourage anyone with any knowledge of these incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.