Captain Cook Statue in Randwick Damaged just 48 hours before Australia Day
The iconic statue in Randwick, damaged just days before Australia Day, was first installed in 1874.
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.
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 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.
New South Wales (NSW) Police said an investigation was underway.
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.”