Vandals chop head off King George V monument in Melbourne’s Kings Domain

A group of vandals has removed the head from a 72-year-old statue of King George V at a monument in Melbourne’s Kings Domain.

A group of vandals has beheaded a statue of King George in a brazen act on the eve of the King’s Birthday public holiday.

Police were called to the King George V monument in Kings Domain near the Sidney Myer Music Bowl about 9am on Monday following reports the 72-year-old statue had been defaced.

In a video shared to social media, a person wearing a head torch and a hi-vis jumper could be seen sawing at the statue’s neck before its head toppled to the ground.

The vandals then doused the monument with red paint before spray-painting the phrase “the colony will fall” on the plinth.

Vandals remove the head from a statue of King George V at Kings Domain. Picture: Instagram

A City of Melbourne spokesman said the statue was “covered” by council workers after it was beheaded.

“The City of Melbourne was made aware of an incident of vandalism on the King George statue in Kings Domain on Monday morning,” he said.

“The incident was reported to Victoria Police and the council has cleaned and covered the damaged statue while we assess the next steps.”

The discarded head of the King George V statue after vandals removed it. Picture: Supplied

The monument to King George V is sprayed with red paint. Picture: Instagram

It comes after masked vandals toppled a Captain Cook statue in Fitzroy Gardens – 2km from the King George monument – in February, using a grinder to saw off the statue at the ankles.

One month earlier, on the eve of Australia Day, another Captain Cook statue in Catani Gardens in St Kilda was cut from its stone base, with its plinth also spray-painted with the words “the colony will fall”.

The Captain Cook statue at Catani Gardens was toppled on January 25. Picture: Instagram

Port Phillip City Council mayor Heather Cunsolo told the Herald Sun last week she anticipates the Captain Cook statue in St Kilda will be reinstated by October.

“Permits have now been issued and in accordance with the terms of the permit, restoration works are currently being undertaken,” she said.

“While there will be no differences to the statue’s design, there are several permit conditions which the council is working through which will impact the timeline for reinstatement.

“These conditions include the requirement to provide contextual information or interpretation alongside the statue.

“The council is consulting with traditional owners groups as part of the process.”

The Captain Cook statue at Cooks Cottage was cut off at the ankles on February 26. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

However, the City of Melbourne was not able to provide a timeline as it assesses its options for the repair of the Captain Cook statue in Fitzroy Gardens, which was located next to Cooks’ Cottage.

“We’re working with specialists to assess the damage to the Captain Cook statue and determine options for its repair,” a spokeswoman said.

“An update will be provided to the community in the coming months.”

Police confirmed they are investigating the Kings Domain incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.