Multiple statues and citizenship ceremony targeted by vandals

Vandals first targeted an outdoor stage at Ringwood Lake in Melbourne, which was set up for the ceremony.

Police believe the site was targeted about 2am, with two ceremonial flags from a nearby building also stolen.

Local MP Michael Sukkar said he was “disgusted and disappointed” over the attack.

“This is the site at Ringwood Lake where, on Australia Day every year we welcome our newest Australians with a citizenship ceremony,” he said.

“We also spend the day celebrating everything that’s so wonderful about our great nation. I am disgusted and disappointed at this vandalism and hope Victoria Police are able find the rabble who committed this hateful crime.”

The words “the colony will fall” were spray painted in red on the walls of the stage.

Just 20 minutes later, vandals targeted the John Batman Memorial, located on Queen Street, opposite the Queen Victoria Market.

The statue honouring the founder of modern-day Melbourne was extensively damaged after it was cut from its plinth.

Security guards could be seen today picking up the pieces of the statue, which was erected in 1881.

Batman is widely regarded as one of Melbourne’s founding fathers, but has been described as a controversial figure due to his dealings with Indigenous Australians.

An hour later, vandals defaced an ANZAC memorial in nearby Parkville.

The memorial, which honors soldiers, was also sprayed with red paint, with the phrases “land back” and “the colony will fall” written in red.

Police are investigating all three incidents.

Several statues will be guarded by security over the next 24 hours including the Cook monument in St Kilda’s Catani Gardens.