‘Cook the Colony’: 2nd Statue Toppled and Drenched in Red Paint in Melbourne

Red paint covers a vandalised statue of Captain James Cook at Catani Gardens in St Kilda on Jan. 26, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Diego Fedele/Getty Images

Another Captain James Cook statue was toppled in Melbourne’s north, just two days after Australia Day, with red paint and the phrase “Cook the colony” sprayed on it.

In the morning, visitors at the park found the statue, commemorating the explorer, broken and fallen on the ground in Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy.

A Victorian police spokesperson told the Epoch Times an investigation is “ongoing” into the incident.

“Police are aware of damage to a plaque in Edinburgh Gardens on Alfred Crescent in North Fitzroy. The plaque has been pushed over and sprayed with red paint,” the spokesperson said.

“It is yet to be established when the damage took place, and anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.”

Captain Cook is a renowned explorer who charted and claimed the eastern coast of Australia for Britain on his first voyage between 1768 and 1771.

The incident follows a similar event on Jan. 25, when a statue of the explorer in St Kilda, Melbourne, was cut at the ankles and defaced ahead of Australia Day.

The statue was seen with the words “the colony will fall” written in bright red paint.

Police Still Investigating

In response to a question on whether arrests have been made, Victorian Police confirmed with the Epoch Times on Jan. 29 that they are investigating “criminal damage” to the statue.

“Members of the public reported the Captain Cook Memorial in Jacka Boulevard had been vandalised about 3.30am,” the spokesperson said.

“It is understood the statue was sawn off at the ankles. Several people were seen loitering in the area around the time of the incident.”

United Australia Party Federal Senator Ralph Babet expressed his anger at the incident in a post to X on Jan. 25.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan echoed the sentiment, saying that the vandalism “really has no place in our community.”

“We will be working with the council to repair and reinstate the statue in St Kilda,” she said.

Victorian Opposition leader John Pesutto described the incident as “totally unacceptable,” highlighting that while he respects the right to protest, it must be done peacefully.

“There’s no place for acts of vandalism, or any other violent acts against people, or property in our community,” he said.

“We support the right of people to protest and demonstrate but it must always be done in a peaceful and respectful way.”

Officers at Port Phillip Council, which represents the St Kilda area, have collected the statue for assessment and the graffiti has been removed. Mayor Heather Cunsolo expressed her disapproval of the incident, given the cost to ratepayers.

However, the council also supported a mourning reflection ceremony on Australia Day held by traditional owners promoting “unity and reconciliation.”

“We are disappointed by the vandalism of the Captain Cook statue in Catani Gardens, St Kilda,” she said.

“We understand and acknowledge the complex and diverse views surrounding Australia Day. We can’t condone, however, the vandalism of a public asset where costs will be ultimately borne by ratepayers.”

Not the First Time

In 2022, the Captain Cook statue in Victoria was also attacked by vandalism, with red paint splashed on the monument on Australia Day at the expense of ratepayers.

Members of the media record the cleaning process of a statue of Captain Cook at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 26, 2022. Diego Fedele/Getty Images

Australia Day marks First Fleet commander Governor Arthur Phillip raising the Union Jack flag at Sydney Cove on Jan. 26, 1788, establishing convict settlement in Australia.

Thousands of activists who mark the holiday as “Invasion Day” took to the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, and other cities on Friday to protest.

Protestors rallied on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House in Spring Street, Belmore Park and Victoria Park in Sydney, and Elizabeth Street in Hobart.

Meanwhile, AFL clubs came out in force on Australia Day calling for a change of date, while the National Rugby League (NRL) released a controversial statement on the national holiday.

Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, and the Western Bulldogs were among the clubs that called for a new date for Australia Day.

“The Port Adelaide Football Club respects that everyone has the right to their own views. The board, staff, and players of the Port Adelaide Football Club support changing the date,” Port Adelaide Football Club said.

“We look forward to a time when all Australians can celebrate our nation on a day everyone can feel proud, included, and unified.”

The NRL paid tribute to the resilience and enormous contribution of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait brothers and sisters, but did not specifically reference Australia Day.

“The NRL acknowledges that today represents a painful and sorrowful day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” the league said on Jan. 26.

“Today, we pay tribute to the resilience and the enormous contribution our Aboriginal and Torres Strait brothers and sisters make to our nation and the greatest game for all.”