Swastikas and vile messages have been painted along Cranbourne Golf Club’s green
A Jewish-founded golf club in Cranbourne has been rocked by a disturbing attack, with anti-Semitic graffiti and homophobic slogans scrawled across its green — prompting a civil rights group to warn swastika vandalism is becoming “the norm”.
South East
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Vandals have sprayed swastikas and obscene images across the green of Cranbourne Golf Club.
The club, which was founded in 1953 by Jewish golfers, was believed to have been targeted on Tuesday night.
The vile anti-Semitic and homophobic graffiti on the club’s fourth green includes several swastikas and slurs such as “golf fags”.
The Anti-Defamation Commission has slammed the attack as “horrifying” and “disturbing”.
Chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said another day had brought another sickening and chilling incident of swastika vandalism.
“If this hate spree continues, Melbourne will soon be known as the swastika capital of Australia,” Dr Abramovich said.
“This is not just graffiti on the ground — it is an attack on all of us, and I never I thought I’d say this, but this is becoming the norm.”
He said when this type of “cruel and vicious vandalism” happened, it was a reminder that there were “white-supremacists in our midst wishing to intimidate us”.
“The vile stampede of neo-Nazi defacement that has defiled our city is reaching pitch fever and must be stopped,” Dr Abramovich said.
“We hope that police identifies the perpetrators and that they are dealt with to the full extent of the law.”
Cranbourne Golf Club general manager Cameron Mott said the vandalism was “upsetting” for the club and its members.
“The club was founded by the Jewish community in the early 50s and half of our members are Jewish, so this is very upsetting for them and feels very personal,” Mr Mott said.
A Victoria Police spokesman said police were investigating a criminal damage incident at a golf course in Cranbourne.
“Investigators have been told unknown offenders vandalised areas of the course sometime between 7pm on May 19 and 9am on May 20,” the spokesman said.
Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.