Melbourne's mayor, Nicholas Reece, has strongly condemned the vandalism of 150-year-old colonial monuments, calling it a despicable act. The incident occurred despite measures to protect these historical landmarks, including cameras and fences, in the lead-up to Australia Day on January 26th. Two monuments, the Pioneer monument in Flagstaff Gardens and the Separation memorial, were defaced with graffiti and heavy machinery, respectively. The Pioneer monument, erected in 1871, marks the city's first burial site, while the Separation memorial was built in 1950 to commemorate the founding of the Victorian colony. The vandals spray-painted 'Death to Australia' on the plinth of the Pioneer monument, a statement that has sparked controversy and concern. The mayor emphasized the historical significance of these monuments, describing the vandals as idiots for their lack of understanding. He vowed to debate the future of statues and memorials in Melbourne but stated that acts of vandalism would not be tolerated. This incident is not an isolated case, as similar vandalism has occurred in recent years, often targeting colonial monuments. In 2025, a statue of Captain Cook was toppled, and the City of Yarra voted to remove it due to the cost of maintenance. The mayor, Nicholas Reece, assured that the damaged monuments in Flagstaff Gardens would be repaired and reinstated, emphasizing the need to prevent such acts of destruction. The incident has also raised questions about hate crimes, as some of the words and symbols used may constitute a hate crime under Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Premier Jacinta Allan described the incident as a disgrace, highlighting the introduction of hate and destruction even on a day of mourning and unity. The police have established a crime scene to investigate the incident, and the public is encouraged to report any information that could help solve the case.
