By Alex Crowe
Two people have been charged with seven counts of criminal damage after allegedly vandalising a Chinese dragon believed to be the oldest complete parade dragon in the world, which was held at a museum in Bendigo.
The man, 43, and woman, 44, were arrested after police searched a property at Seabrook on Friday.
Police alleged the pair, both from Seabrook, sprayed oily liquid on two parade dragons and statues and paintings worth about $100,000 at the Golden Dragon Museum on May 5.
On the same day, the duo also allegedly damaged property at various locations in Bendigo, including statues and paintings at a museum, a cemetery, a cathedral, a temple, an RSL soldier memorial and the Botanic Gardens.
Security video footage from the museum appears to show two adults and two young children entering and paying their admission.
It is alleged that the two adults sprayed two dragons and then drove to the nearby temple, a significant Buddhist site and the largest stupa in the Western world.
Loong is believed to be the world’s oldest Chinese dragon and is included on the Victorian Heritage Register.Credit: Leigh McKinnon.
The dragon, more than 120 years old and named Loong, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. It was retired in 1970, but has been used occasionally since then. A second dragon, the 100 metre-long Sun Loong, was also damaged.
Golden Dragon Museum chief executive Hugo Leschen previously told The Age the dragons had international significance.
“Anyone who loves arts and culture and heritage, anyone who respects those things would have to be outraged by this type of behaviour,” he said.
“This is one of the finest collections of its type in the world. It truly beggars belief.”
Premier Jacinta Allan, the local member for Bendigo East, said on Tuesday it was difficult to fathom what could motivate somebody to vandalise the museum.
“This is just senseless, disgraceful, and it’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to the history of our town, it’s disrespectful to the Chinese community who have been such a big part of Victoria’s history, and it’s disrespectful to do this sort of act at an important public space,” Allan said.
“To be honest, to me, it’s completely unfathomable.”
The pair were bailed and will appear at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on August 23.
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