Chrisna and Gerhardus Snyman charged with vandalising Sun Loong, war memorials and cultural sites across Bendigo

Two people who allegedly vandalised Bendigo’s iconic Sun Loong and desecrated war memorials are disputing the value of damages their alleged attacks caused.

A man and woman charged over a string of vandalism attacks on cultural sites and war veteran memorials across Bendigo are contesting the value of the alleged damages.

Chrisna Snyman, 44, and Gerhardus Snyman, 43, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court charged with vandalising cultural sites and war veteran memorials across Bendigo, allegedly causing $100,000 in damages.

The couple brought two children to the Golden Dragon Museum and Great Stupa Buddhist temple, where they allegedly caused $100,000 in damage with an oily substance on May 5.

The couple allegedly targeted Bendigo’s iconic Sun Loong, a 100m long imperial parading dragon at the museum believed to be world’s oldest and largest still intact, as well as statues, stonework, temple artefacts, artwork.

Sun Loong. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The co-accused also allegedly targeted about a dozen statues, both inside and outside the Buddhist temple, and allegedly vandalised Jewish and Chinese memorials at the White Hills Cemetery.

The two are also charged with desecrating the Soldiers Memorial Institute at Pall Mall, with a heritage listed honour board damaged along with several statues and war memorials in Bendigo’s CBD.

The court heard the two alleged vandals were contesting the value of the alleged damages, with their lawyer asking for an adjournment to “nail down” a figure.

The court heard the defence intended to “explore” the “intent” behind the actions of the co-accused.

Police are hunting for two vandals who caused $100k in damage at Bendigo Golden Dragon Museum. Picture: Victoria Police.

The defence opposed the release of the police summary of facts which details the allegations against the accused, arguing that it may prejudice a jury in a potential future trial.

There was no mention in court of the alleged attacks being related to race or religious motivations.

Bendigo community leaders released an outraged joint statement in the aftermath of the vandalism spree, describing the acts as a “demonstration of hate”.

“The deplorable, senseless and deliberate actions of two people have shocked and disappointed us all,” the statement said.

“The result has not only been physical damage to artefacts and symbols, but also personal hurt to those groups and to everyone who values our service personnel and the historic and current multicultural, multi-faith nature of our community.”

The case was adjourned to January 22.