The defacement on Anzac Day of a commemorative statue in Sydney’s northwest has been described as “very disappointing” by the region’s mayor.
The statue of former NSW governor Lachlan Macquarie at McQuade Park in Windsor was on Tuesday splashed with red paint. It was also emblazoned with phrases including “here stands a mass murderer who ordered genocide” and “Lest We Forget the Frontier Wars”.
Mayor of Hawkesbury City Council Sarah McMahon said it would take days to remove the paint, while damaged parts of the statue would probably have to be replaced.
“It is very disappointing that on such a day of local and national significance here in the Hawkesbury people believe that this is the day to send a message to the community in such a way,” Ms McMahon told AAP.
“Vandalism and destruction of property has no place in the Hawkesbury let alone on an Anzac Day when thousands of people had gathered at that specific place.
“I hope that the police do a thorough job in catching the perpetrator.”
NSW Police said in a statement they were investigating the vandalism after a member of the public spotted graffiti on the monument about 7.30am.
Witnesses told NewsCorp that the vandalism occurred during the dawn service which commenced at 5.50am.
The action is said to have been sparked by a post detailing the history of Lachlan Macquarie and other settlers.
Macquarie is credited with establishing Windsor in 1810. In recent years, statues of Macquarie have been targeted amid debate about how European arrival in Australia is commemorated.
– AAP
