The Matthew Flinders statue in Mornington Park has been stolen with police investigating the crime.
The bronze statue, which was lopped at the ankles, was first noticed missing on Tuesday 6 October.
A statement released by Victorian Police spokesperson Kathryn Muffett says:
“Police are investigating the theft and criminal damage of a statue from a park in Mornington.”
“It is understood unknown offenders stole part of the monument of Matthew Flinders on Schnapper Point Drive.”
“Officers are investigating when the statue was stolen.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro says the council condemns vandalism and theft of any kind.
“This damage to a community asset is unacceptable,” said Pingiaro.
Mornington MP Chris Crewther has taken to social media to condemn the and says he hopes whoever has stolen the statue is caught quickly.
Crewther has also said if elected the Liberal Party will introduce new penalties for damage on war memorials and cultural sites.
“The Liberals already committed, several months ago, to better protect war memorials and cultural sites if elected to government, with penalties up to 10 years jail and forcing perpetrators to cover the cost of repairing the damage,” said Crewther.
“The destruction and defacing of our history and heritage has to stop.”
The statue of Matthew Flinders was commissioned by the Shire of Mornington in 1987 to commemorate Australia’s bicentenary in 1988.
The sculptor, Marc Clark, completed several well-known statues in Melbourne, including one of Captain James Cook in Fitzroy Gardens. Clark died in September 2021 aged 97.
Matthew Flinders was a famous British navigator and cartographer who led the first recorded circumnavigation of mainland Australia between 1801 and 1803.
Flinders first docked his ship at what is now known as Schnapper Point in April 1802 and along with his travelling party was the first to make the trek to the top of Arthur’s Seat.
Flinders died in 1814 and the location of his grave became unknow during the 19th century until it was discovered in January 2019 underneath Euston railway station in London.
The federal seat of Flinders was named in his honour.
The investigations remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam /CCTV footage or information to contact crime stoppers on 1800 33 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
