Busts of 2 Former Leaders Beheaded, Stolen From Prime Ministers Avenue

(L-R) Former Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, and Paul Keating and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews attend the Labor Party campaign launch for the 2019 Federal election at the Brisbane Convention Centre in Brisbane, Australia, on May 5, 2019. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

The statue heads of two former Australian Prime Ministers, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd, have been stolen from the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in Victoria, days out from Australia Day.

The heads of the Labor leaders were decapitated and removed, while multiple other statues were damaged on Prime Ministers Avenue, a cherished community landmark with a collection of bronze busts representing every Australian prime minister.

Victoria Police confirmed they were investigating around 20 defaced statues in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Jan. 23.

“The name plates of the remaining statues have been covered in spray paint,” police said.

The police estimated the damage bill from the stolen and defaced statues could be more than $140,000 (US$88,000).

The City of Ballarat highlighted the financial burden on ratepayers and the impact on the city’s reputation.

“It is not only extremely costly to our ratepayers and will divert money away from critical Council services, but it detracts from Ballarat as a city,” the City said in a statement.

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation highlighted the vandalism was deeply upsetting to both the community and staff who care for the gardens.

“Like many members of the Ballarat community, we are deeply saddened to hear of the vandalism of Prime Ministers Avenue today,” the foundation said.

The foundation noted Prime Ministers Avenue was a source of pride for the local community and had been a site of national significance since it was opened by the Governor of Victoria in 1940.

“This blatant violation of this vital part of their story and heritage is a severe blow to not only the community but to all who work and care for the gardens,” the group said.

“Our thoughts are with the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and staff as we know they value appreciate and love the gardens.”

Incident Comes Just Days Before Australia Day

The defacing of the statues comes days before Australia Day, which will be celebrated around the country on Jan. 26.

In Victoria, multiple events are set to take place on the day including a 21-gun salute at the Shrine of Remembrance, family activities at Federation Square, an open day at Government House, alongside “invasion day” protests.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens (FBBG) also expressed they were devastated and saddened by the “wanton act of desecration” within Prime Ministers Avenue.

“We believe the Prime Ministers Walk is an iconic national treasure that is actually a showcase of our Australian democracy in our beautiful Gardens and to see it damaged in such a manner is hurtful and indeed shocking,” FBBG said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with the wonderful Gardens staff who we know care and value all of the Gardens, statues, plants, buildings, and people We thank them now as they diligently begin the long arduous process of cleaning and repairing the damage.”

Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens called on the federal government to recognise the statues as a national treasure and provide more funding.

“Perhaps it is timely to implore the federal government to consider future funding of the Prime Ministers Statues as a national treasure to help Ballarat protect and ensure its future and preserve its nationally significant legacy and story,” the group said.

Amid the Victorian incident, a statue of early explorer Captain James Cook has also been splashed with red paint and damaged with its hand and nose knocked off in Randwick, in Sydney’s East.

This statue has also been defaced previously, requiring the Randwick Council to pay for the repair with ratepayer funds.