Queen Victoria Memorial vandalised with red paint in Melbourne
Anti-monarchists have targeted Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Memorial, throwing water balloons filled with red paint at the historic monument.
Victoria
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Heartless vandals have damaged Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Memorial on the weekend of King Charles’ coronation.
Water balloons filled with red paint were thrown over the 11 metre statue, located on St Kilda Rd at Queen Victoria Gardens.
It’s understood a group of anti-monarchists targeted the sculpture between Saturday and Monday, leaving multiple red hand prints on the monument’s white marble.
City of Melbourne council workers cleaned the graffiti on Monday morning.
The cost of the damage is believed to be about $5000.
Australian Monarchist League spokesman Jeremy Mann told the Herald Sun he was “disappointed” by the vandalism.
“It’s very disappointing to see this statue desecrated, especially after a weekend of celebrations across Australia for the King’s coronation,” he said.
‘It is important to acknowledge the ugly parts of Australia’s history, but we should also recognise that our constitutional monarchy has paved the way for the democratic, free and welcoming nation that we are today.”
Government Services Minister Danny Pearson said it was an “inconsiderate, immature act”.
“I’m not really sure juvenile pranks like this are really what’s called for,” he said.
“I’m a Republican, I’ve always supported the Australian head of state but I recognise the history of our state, we are named after her.
“Vandalising property, even if it is paint on an antique statue, is probably not really what you would like to see on a Monday morning.”
The statue, created by artist James White, was unveiled in 1907 as a tribute to Queen Victoria who died in 1901.
The memorial was funded by public subscription and cost more than 7000 pounds.
It comes in protest of the monarch after Charles was officially crowned King in London on Saturday.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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