Hand, Nose Broken Off Earliest Statue of Explorer Captain Cook

A statue of early English explorer Captain James Cook damaged and graffitied in the lead-up to Australia Day. (Courtesy of Randwick City Council).

A sandstone statue of early British explorer Captain James Cook has been splashed with red paint, while its hand and nose have been broken off.

The statue, located in Sydney’s eastern suburb of Randwick, was previously damaged in February 2024, requiring the Randwick Council to clean and repair the site, despite calls from the Greens to remove it.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Council confirmed the statue on the corner of Belmore Road and Avoca Streets had been damaged again.

“The sandstone hand has been completely removed and the statue partially covered in red paint, The statue had been cleaned and restored last year after a similar incident in February 2024,” the council said.

The vandalism incident comes just three days before Australia Day, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. Cook’s claim of the east coast of Australia for the British Crown in 1770 paved the way for the arrival of the Fleet, and the beginnings of European colonisation of the continent.

The statue is believed to be the first erected statue of Captain Cook in Australia, commissioned in 1874 on the anniversary of Cook’s birthday on Oct. 27.

New South Wales (NSW) Police said an investigation was underway.

“About 8.15 a.m. today, officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command responded to reports of a statue damaged and vandalised with graffiti on Belmore Road, Randwick,” NSW Police said.

The police encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour around monuments and significant sights across the Australia Day long weekend.

Police said they were working with Randwick Council to remove the graffiti, noting a number of items had been collected by police.

“A crime scene has been established, which will be forensically examined by specialist police. As inquiries continue, anyone with information, CCTV and/or dashcam footage in relation to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker condemned the act.

“Vandalism has no place in public discussion. It is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause, a disservice to the community and a disservice to reconciliation,” he said.