Australian authorities are investigating after a statue of Captain James Cook in Sydney was defaced with red paint and damaged ahead of the Australia Day weekend. This marks the second time in 12 months that the statue, located in Randwick, has been vandalized.
Australia Day, celebrated annually on January 26, commemorates the landing of Britain’s First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. However, the date remains controversial, with many Indigenous Australians viewing it as a painful reminder of colonization and the displacement of their ancestors.
The Randwick Council condemned the act of vandalism, calling it “a disservice to the community and to reconciliation.” Councillor Carolyn Martin told Sydney radio station 2GB that the damage included the statue’s hand and parts of its face and nose being knocked off.
Originally unveiled in 1874, the statue was previously targeted in February 2024, when it was covered in red paint and parts of the sandstone were damaged. Restoration efforts were completed within a month.
Captain Cook statues across Australia have frequently been targeted around Australia Day. In 2024, a statue in Melbourne was toppled, and its plinth was spray-painted with the phrase “the colony will fall.” Similar incidents occurred in previous years, including graffiti, red paint splashes, and the placement of Aboriginal flags near the statues.
Captain Cook is a contentious historical figure for many. While he charted Australia’s east coast in 1770, laying the foundation for Britain’s First Fleet led by Captain Arthur Phillip, his arrival is seen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as the beginning of dispossession and cultural disruption.
For some Australians, January 26 is a day of celebration, reflecting national achievements and unity. However, the date remains divisive, with growing calls to change it to foster inclusivity. Despite this, polling indicates that most Australians support retaining the current date for the holiday.
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