Captain Cook statue in Sydney defaced ahead of Australia’s national day
NBCJan 22
Captain Cook Statue Vandalized as Australia Day is Observed
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Above: A council worker cleans the statue of Britain's Queen Victoria that was defaced in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in Melbourne on Jan. 25, 2024, ahead of Australia Day. Image copyright: Martin Parry/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
An Aboriginal artwork illuminated the Sydney Opera House on Sunday — celebrated as Australia Day — marking 237 years since a British colony was established at Sydney Cove. The day saw both protests and celebrations.
A statue of British explorer James Cook was vandalized with red paint in Sydney's Randwick suburb. It suffered significant damage. This was the reportedly second time this statue has been vandalized within a 12-month period.
In Melbourne, a John Batman statue was found sawed in half — Batman founded Australia’s second-largest city but also reportedly killed many Aboriginal people. Many Indigenous Australians observe Australia Day as "Invasion Day."
The Spin
Left narrative
Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, but for Indigenous Australians, it marks the start of colonization's devastating impact of dispossession, genocide, and cultural erasure. The ongoing injustices and intergenerational trauma rooted in this colonial legacy make celebrating this day deeply painful. Moving beyond this divisive date toward one inclusive of all Australians would honor the truths of our history and begin the healing.
Right narrative
Jan. 26, Australia Day, need not be a symbol of division. It offers an opportunity for unity by confronting the complexities of the country's history. While it marks the arrival of the First Fleet, it can also be reclaimed as a day of reflection, celebrating Australia’s progress and diverse cultures. By pairing traditional festivities with truth-telling, welcome-to-country ceremonies, and Indigenous celebrations, the date could embody inclusivity — honoring all Australians.
