Statue defaced with bright red paint during a ‘disgusting’ Anzac Day protest as morning services came to an end
- Former NSW Governor Lachlan Macquarie statue vandalized
- Monument centered on Windsor, northwest Sydney
- Anzac Day commemorators are ‘disgusted’ by the act
Brutal vandals have tarnished Anzac Day commemorations after pouring red paint over a memorial statue during a morning service in Sydney’s northwest.
Locals are horrified after the bronze statue of former NSW Governor Lachlan Macquarie in McQuade Park, Windsor, was doused in paint on Tuesday and covered in “bloody” handprints.
The words “Here stands a mass murderer who ordered genocide” and “Lest We Forget the Frontier Wars” were also spray-painted on the sidewalk surrounding the memorial.
NSW police said a member of the public reported the vandalism at around 7:30am as Anzac Day morning services came to an end.
The bronze statue of former NSW Governor Lachlan Macquarie in Windsor’s McQuade Park was defaced with graffiti during Anzac Day commemorations on Tuesday
“Officers from Hawkesbury Police Area Command were notified and an investigation has begun,” a spokesman said.
“Initial investigations suggest the act of vandalism was committed between 6am and 7am.”
Residents have condemned the graffiti after seeing the memorial as they left Anzac Day commemorations.
Paul Hibbins, chairman of the Hawkesbury precinct sub-ward, said he believes the act was sparked by a post detailing Lachlan Macquarie’s history.
“Unfortunately, we have reached a point where people are trying to rewrite history,” Hibbins told the Daily Telegraph.
“The most important thing is the lessons of history. Throwing paint and damaging it won’t fix the past.’
Local residents were ‘disgusted’ after finding statue defaced as they left morning service (pictured) in McQuade Park
Graham Lines stumbled upon the defacement after attending the service honoring veterans – including his father.
Mr Lines said he felt “angry” about the incident and that the act was “humiliating” to the region’s “incredible” history.
“It’s disgusting – it’s horrible to do it on Anzac Day,” he said.
Another resident said: “The day was about our military, not any other agenda. “Everyone is absolutely disgusted.”
Hawkesbury City Council confirmed they were aware of the latest incident and have begun clean-up efforts.
“The council staff have cleaned the statue for the first time and the services of our specialist graffiti contractor will be needed in the coming days,” they said.
The incident is not the first time the statue has been targeted by vandals.
In 2017, the statue was similarly covered in red paint and marked with the word “murderer” and the native flag, with the council paying about $1,000 to clean it.
The statue is pictured after it was vandalized in a similar incident in February 2017