In an act described as “senseless and disgraceful” by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, two vandals have been caught on CCTV defacing paintings, statues, and artefacts at a Chinese Museum in Victoria on May 5.
An unnamed man and woman allegedly defaced $100,000 (US$66,400) worth of art at Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum by spreading an oily liquid on paintings, parading dragons, and temple artefacts.
The pair, who were accompanied by children, left the scene in a silver Toyota Prado, police said.
Police added that some sculptures at a Buddhist monument northwest of Bendigo called the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion were also targeted by the same offenders.
Ms. Allan told reporters in Richmond the incident was “disrespectful.”
“Our Golden Dragon Museum is a wonderful place to celebrate Chinese culture and heritage and how Bendigo and the broader goldfields was built off the back of so many Chinese migrants ... and that rich heritage lives on today,” Ms. Allan said.
Golden Dragon Museum chief executive Hugo Leschen told the AAP that the museum was much loved.
“We’re the largest and most important collection of Chinese cultural and heritage material in Australia ... All vandalism is mindless in a sense, but this was done with great purpose,” Mr. Leschen said.
“She’s come out to do this and she’s caused enormous damage in her actions.”
Stupa Chairman Ian Green said in a statement that the damage is estimated to run into the “tens of thousands of dollars.”
“The objects at the Stupa are considered sacred and many have been entrusted to the Great Stupa by various faith-based communities to help preserve and celebrate their traditions, providing a space for worship and fellowship,” Mr. Green said.
Police released images of the pair allegedly involved, and said they would like to speak with them to assist with their enquiries. Scientific analysis on the oily liquid is underway.
Golden Dragon Museum
Located in Bendigo, Victoria, is a cultural museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Chinese people in Australia.It is home to one of the world’s most significant collections of Chinese processional regalia and artifacts.
The museum’s centrepiece is the Sun Loong, the world’s longest imperial dragon, which measures over 100 metres when fully extended. Sun Loong is paraded through the streets of Bendigo during the annual Easter parade, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century.
The museum also houses a collection of other Chinese artifacts, including costumes, photographs, and historical documents, which tell the story of the Chinese community in Bendigo and their contributions to the region’s development.
In the 1800s, Bendigo had a large population of Chinese miners who made the town their home.
Great Stupa
The Great Stupa is the same size and design as the Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet and will be the largest stupa (also known as pagoda) in the Western world when completed. The project began in 2003 and is being funded entirely by donations and volunteer labour.It rises to a total height of 48 metres above Bendigo’s distinctive bushland and is 50 metres wide at its base. The Great Stupa is home to many holy objects and will serve as a place of worship, meditation, and learning for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.
