A statue of Captain Cook has been vandalised in Sydney just days ahead of Australia Day. 

The statue, which sits on Belmore Road in Randwick, had its hand ripped off in the attack and parts of its face destroyed before it was covered in red paint. 

It’s the second time in 12 months the statue has been vandalised, with the attack being condemned by Randwick councilor Andrew Hay. 

“The Captain Cook Statue has been vandalised again,” he said in a statement. “They’ve broken the sandstone and cut off his hand and nose.”

“Low lives in Randwick know no bounds, or have any reverence for great people of history, and will vandalise him to make a political point that he’s not directly related to.”

Randwick City councillor Dr Carolyn Martin told 2GB radio that the vandals scaled the fence around the statue and left it in an “absolute mess”.

“It’s absolutely disgraceful behaviour. We’re all absolutely horrified,” she said.

Randwick mayor Dylan Parker also called out the vandalism, saying, “Vandalism has no place in public discussion.”

“Vandalism is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause, a disservice to the community and a disservice to reconciliation.”

“Council will clean and restore the statue. The statue was cleaned and restored last year after a similar incident in February 2024.”

Australia Day, which is recognised each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. 

But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as ‘Invasion Day’ or the ‘Day of Mourning’ because it marks the beginning of Australia’s colonisation. 

Image credits: 2GBÂ