‘Horror’ as Anzac memorial defaced; John Batman statue cut in half by vandals
An Anzac memorial honouring fallen soldiers has been doused with red paint while a statue honouring John Batman has been destroyed and graffiti sprayed across a citizenship ceremony in the latest attacks leading up to Australia Day.
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A statue honouring John Batman, the founder of modern-day Melbourne, has been destroyed by vandals overnight.
Police were called to the site of the memorial on Queen St, opposite Queen Victoria Market, following reports it had been damaged about 2.20am on Saturday.
The statue had been cut from its plinth and appeared to have also been cut in half.
A crane crew was on-site by about 9.30am to help remove the fallen statue and transport it to a secure location.
“The City of Melbourne was made aware of damage to the Batman monument at Queen Victoria Market early this morning,” a council spokesman said.
“Victoria Police have been notified and are investigating the incident.”
An Anzac memorial in Parkville honouring soldiers who died fighting in World War One has also been doused with red paint and defaced with the words “land back” and “the colony will fall”.
Parkville resident Bev Noonan, 85, said she was horrified to discover the “senseless” vandalism, on the corner of The Avenue and Royal Parade, on her morning walk.
“I look up and in horror, I saw it painted red, bright red, on every side with messages, you know, land grab and colony, the things they were saying,” Ms Noonan said.
“It was just a terrible shock and I couldn’t gather myself for some minutes.”
“Anyone who’s defacing it is just senseless, they don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t know the history of the people who gave their lives for us to live in this beautiful country.”
The ANZAC statue, which was topped with the figure of an Australian soldier carved in Italian marble, has been standing since 1925 in honour of Parkville residents who gave their lives in World War One.
The statue is dedicated to the memory of three captains, two lieutenants, a sergeant-major, two sergeants and four corporals from the area who perished in battle.
One of the men commemorated is corporal John Jageurs.
His father, Peter, was the mason who crafted the memorial.
Ms Noonan said the Parkville community would be reeling at the attack.
“Every Anzac Day, we all gather here and have a memorial service,” she said.
“People from all walks of life, no particular religions, the (nearby) Mar Thoma Church, which serves Indian people here, they’re involved, and they’re concerned (by this).
“We’re all caring here, of this little community.”
Parkville Association President Rob Moore reported the damage to the council shortly after 9am on Saturday.
He praised the City of Melbourne council, with cleaning crews on-site within an hour of the vandalism being reported.
“Their reaction has been superb,” Mr Moore said.
“They’ve been excellent.”
An emotional Ms Noonan said memorials honouring the war dead had nothing to do with Australia Day.
“This is the people who gave their lives for our safety and security, and it’s nothing to do with Australia Day,” she said with her voice occasionally trembling.
“(This) shouldn’t be happening in Australia. “We’ve, we’ve got so many benefits here (compared) to other people in the world, we’re so fortunate and yet we do stupid things like this.”
The Parkville statue is about 1.5km north of Queen Victoria Market, where the John Batman memorial was targeted.
It is unclear if the two statues were defaced by the same people.
Protesters also took aim at a stage and marquee set up in Ringwood that was set to be used in Australia Day celebrations.
Writing in red spray paint “the colony will fall” and “always was always will be” on the white walls of the marquee and “this land is stolen” on a concrete ramp leading to the stage.
A police spokesman said they were investigating the vandalisms incidents at both Queen Victoria Market and Ringwood.
“Police are investigating after a statue was damaged in Melbourne’s CBD,” they said.
“Officers were called to gardens on Queen St following reports a statue of John Batman memorial statue had been damaged about 2.20am.
“Police are (also) investigating reports of graffiti in Ringwood North. It is believed an outdoor stage on the Maroondah Highway was vandalised about 2am.
“Two ceremonial flags were also stolen from the building. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”
It has also come to light that prominent activist Elsa Tuet-Rosenberg, who describes herself as an anti-racism educator, facilitator and consultant had told her followers to target statues and war memorials in protest.
The Melbourne based co-director of racial and social justice organisation, Hue: Colour the Conversation, wrote in the since deleted post that protesters should “go and destroy monuments to colonisation”.
“Someone go and set fire to Cook cottage,” it read. “Why hasn’t that statue in St Kilda been chopped back down yet?
“Chop down their european (sic) trees. Set fire to their ‘heritage’ sites. Behead their statues or topple them at their base.
“F--- up their dumb war memorial which glorifies western imperialism while refusing to acknowledge the Frontier Wars.”
She then goes on to say it is all “just a bit of fun”.
“Toppling statues and burning monuments of genocidal colonisers is the absolute bare minimum,” she said. “It is essentially just a bit of fun.
“Don’t forget: charge your grinder batteries and bring your lighters.”
Premier, MPs ‘sickened’ by attacks
Federal MP and member for Deakin Michael Sukkar took aim at the “rabble” that vandalised the site which was set to be used in citizenship ceremonies.
“This is the site at Ringwood Lake where, on Australia Day every year we welcome our newest Australians with a citizenship ceremony,” he said.
“We also spend the day celebrating everything that’s so wonderful about our great nation.
“I am disgusted and disappointed at this vandalism and hope Victoria Police are able to find the rabble who committed this hateful crime.
“Many thanks to the dedicated staff from Maroondah City Council who are now spending the day repairing the damage so we can still enjoy the wonderful Australia Day celebrations tomorrow.”
Local MP Nick McGowan said he was “sickened” by the attack.
“A place of ceremony and celebration, welcoming 80 new immigrants who have chosen Australia to call home has been turned into a crime scene.
“These are senseless and criminal acts of vandalism. Victorian’s have had a gutfull of these acts of vandalism and terror.
“When will somebody in the Victorian government stand up and draw a line in the sand and stop this senseless division and destruction.”
Premier Jacinta Allan has vowed to work with local councils on having the statues and monuments repaired and reinstated, describing the vandalism as “disgraceful”.
She also urged Victorians to “remember what Australia day was about”.
“It’s a day of both reflection and celebration. We should find it in our hearts and in our minds to respect differences of views but not let it turn ugly,” she said.
“It’s about welcoming new citizens, choosing our country as the best county on the planet to raise your kids to go to work — that’s what Australia day is about.
“(We need to) call time on this division particularly when it results in these disgraceful acts.”
It comes as videos have surfaced of anti-war protesters attempting to burn what appears to be the head that was taken from a King George statue in June.
The King George V statue in Melbourne’s Kings Domain was beheaded and covered in red paint on the King’s birthday public holiday last year.
Now seven months on, two videos have been posted to social media by activist groups Disrupt Wars and WACA (Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance), with the first clip showing the statue’s head being unburied.
The second video shows images of the statue’s head being set on fire on a barbecue in front of an Australian flag, and is accompanied by the caption “throw another king on the barbie”.
The same groups have also shared posts promoting Sunday’s “Invasion Day” protest at Parliament house.
When asked whether security would be ramped up across Melbourne because of the protests, Ms Allan said Victoria Police were “operationally ready” if any protests were to turn violent.
“Victoria Police are operationally ready with the resources, the number of police on the beat, the number of resources or tools and powers they need to deal with any protests that turn violent,” she said.
“They can arrest and move people on if they pose a risk to community safety.”
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the attacks would not be tolerated, and that the City of Melbourne council was working with police to track down the vandals responsible.
“Defacing and damaging city assets will not be tolerated in Melbourne,” Mr Reece said.
“We have ramped up security around high-risk targets — including installing temporary CCTV.
“Our team has responded swiftly and professionally to these attacks, and cleaning and repairs were under way within an hour of the City being notified.”
“We are actively working with Victoria Police to track down these offenders and we have shared CCTV footage to assist in investigations.”
Mr Reece said attacking monuments did nothing to further the cause of people who believed Australia Day should not be celebrated on January 26.
“Disrespectful attacks on public assets have no place in our city,” he said.
“Respect is a two-way street and these acts do not help in any way the community debate on important issues.”
Meanwhile, Tennis Australia and Melbourne and Olympic Park (M&OP) security staff are working closely with Victoria Police in preparation for a pro-Australia Day protest planned outside Melbourne Park.
A spokesman for Tennis Australia and the venues said the organisations were committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests attending the Australian Open on Sunday.
“While there is a place for peaceful protest in society, any activity intended to disrupt the tournament or impact fans’ enjoyment of the event will be managed in accordance with the AO25 ticket terms and conditions,” they said.
“Tennis Australia and M&OP (are) working closely with Victoria Police and security providers to ensure that planned protest activity does not impact the tournament and experience for guests.”
Anyone who witnessed the incidents, has footage or information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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