Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the defacement of Chinese artefacts in her home constituency as ‘senseless and disgraceful’.
Police are investigating after two people allegedly damaged $100,000 worth of paintings and statues at Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum on Sunday afternoon.
It is alleged that a man and a woman went to the museum around 1.30pm and used a liquid to cause significant damage to the paintings and statutes.
The offenders left the scene in a silver Toyota Prado, before targeting sculptures at a Buddhist monument northwest of town.
It is understood that two children were with them, but were not involved in the incident.
Police are investigating after two people damaged $100,000 worth of paintings and statues at Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum, in regional Victoria, on Sunday afternoon
‘This is just senseless. It’s disgraceful and it’s disrespectful,’ Ms Allan told reporters in Richmond.
‘Our Golden Dragon Museum is a wonderful place to celebrate Chinese culture and heritage and how Bendigo and the broader goldfields was built off the back of so many Chinese migrants… and that rich heritage lives on today.’
Investigators believe the woman flicked an oily substance on statues, stonework, temple artefacts, artwork and parading dragons.
Golden Dragon Museum chief executive Hugo Leschen said the incident was very upsetting to staff, volunteers and the greater community.
‘This museum is much loved,’ Mr Leschen told AAP.
‘We’re the largest and most important collection of Chinese cultural and heritage material in Australia.’
The oily liquid has been sent for scientific analysis.
‘All vandalism is mindless in a sense, but this was done with great purpose,’ Mr Leschen said.
‘She’s come out to do this and she’s caused enormous damage in her actions.’
It is believed the family then drove northwest of Bendigo to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, a Buddhist monument, to deface more artefacts.
‘We estimate the repair bill will run into the tens of thousands of dollars and we will work to repair what we can,’ Stupa Chairman Ian Green said in a statement.
‘The objects at the Stupa are considered sacred and many have been entrusted to the Great Stupa by various faith-based communities to help preserve and celebrate their traditions, providing a space for worship and fellowship,’ Mr Green said.
Investigators launched a public appeal on Tuesday and released images of two people, and an image of a silver Toyota Prado.
They are urging witnesses or anyone who has has any information which could assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
