Earlier this month, there was an incident of vandalism in central Victoria.
These include two historic dragon dances and a Buddhist monument that was damaged!
Image source: 9 News
At around 1:30 p.m. on May 5 at the Golden Dragon Museum on Bridge Street, an unidentified man and woman poured oily substances from a drink bottle onto two dragon dances, "dragons Sun Loong" and "Loong," on display, according to Greater Bendigo.
Image source: ABC News
Among them, "dragons Sun Loong" is considered to be one of the longest dragon dances in the world, while "Loong" is more than 120 years old and is considered to be the oldest and best-preserved dragon dance in the world.
The Australian Prime Minister also took a photo with the dragon dance.
Image source: X
A photo shows the dragon's mouth damaged, mottled with oily substances.
Image source: ABC News
In addition to the two dragon dances, statues, stone carvings, temple artifacts and artworks in the museum were also targeted.
After the museum started, the two men did not stop there, but went to the nearby Buddhist monument Great Stupa, where they destroyed about 12 statues.
They then left the scene in a silver Toyota Prado.
Image source: 9 News
After the police investigation, the police said that it is estimated that the damage to various exhibits and cultural relics this time is as high as 100,000 Australian dollars.
The sabotage was premeditated, and the police appealed for clues
"Surveillance footage from both locations shows that the two-man gang's approach appears to have been deliberate and premeditated," the statement added.
Hugo Leschen, general manager of the Golden Dragon Museum, called the events "deeply disturbing".
"The Golden Dragon Museum's collection is Australia's most important piece of Chinese heritage and culture, and an attack on culturally sensitive objects of high heritage significance of this nature is extremely serious.
It is very disturbing and disappointing for our staff, the local Chinese community, and all those who are proud of Bendigo's unique history. ”
Image source: SMH
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who is also a local MP for Bendigo East, also expressed outrage, saying it was difficult to understand what motivated the men to vandalise the museum.
"This is stupid, shameful and disrespectful. It's disrespectful to the history of our small town, it's disrespectful to the Chinese community, who are an important part of Victoria's history. ”
She said she had spoken with Doug Lougoon, president of the Bendigo Chinese Association, and would be in touch about the fees.
Ian Green, chairman of the Grand Stupa, said in a statement that efforts were underway to restore the damaged Buddha statue.
"Due to the nature of the liquid, we saw the paint peeling off the statues, and the liquid was also permanently stained with the granite walls."
Image source: ABC News
Green said the objects on the stupa are considered sacred, and "various faith groups have entrusted many objects to the monument to help preserve and celebrate their traditions."
Despite the vandalism, the museum and the Grand Stupa remain open.
More investigations are ongoing, with police releasing photos of the two suspects and calling on witnesses with any clues to contact the police.
Image source: ABC News
Finally, whether it is the dragon dance with a long history or the Buddha statues in the temple, they all have a lot of historical and cultural value.
Such malicious vandalism is infuriating.
I hope that the police can find the murderer as soon as possible, and I also hope that these damaged items can be repaired perfectly.