Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is asking people to be sensitive to “our whole history” following an attack on Geelong’s Queen Victoria Statue.
The statue was found knocked off its column and splashed in red paint in Eastern Gardens on Thursday, March 14, with the words ‘the colony can fall’ painted on the monument.
It is the second attack on the statue, which dates back to 1912, in less than a fortnight when ‘the colony will fall’ was painted on the monument, and the statue was covered in red paint on March 1.
Minister for Defence and member for Corio, Mr Marles, said it was important to remain sensitive and understand Australia’s whole history.
“As we think about our history, we are thinking about the place that Indigenous Australians, it’s the oldest continuous culture in the world, have had on our history,” he said.
“History didn’t begin in 1788; it extends well beyond that, and we are so lucky as a country to have that culture here, and it’s really important that we recognise that.
“With our history more recently, which those statues reflect, I can understand why people have a fondness for those monuments around town.
“They can’t make it around without knowing where they are, giving you a sense of what those spaces are, and I think all of that needs to be respected.”
Police are investigating the latest incident and anyone with information are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
