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Aboriginal massacre memorial defaced

31 January 2005 - Vandals who defaced a memorial commemorating the mass slaughter of Aboriginal people had committed an appalling and insulting crime, the New South Wales Government said today.

The plaques in the northern NSW town of Inverell remember the Myall Creek Massacre of the 1830s.

They were defaced late last week by vandals who gouged holes and scratched out words.

The words "murder", "women" and "children" were hammered out of one plaque, leaving it unreadable, Inverell Police spokesman, Senior Constable Chris Curtin, said.

The incident was reported by a local Aboriginal elder, Constable Curtin said.

"We got reports that deep gouges have been scratched into the plaques along the memorial walk," he said.

"Several of the plaques will have to be replaced."

Dozens of Aboriginals were killed by white settlers in the massacre.

NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister Andrew Refshauge today condemned the attack.

"This is a gross act of vandalism," he said.

"Defacing this memorial is disrespectful and insulting to the people who were murdered, and their families."

The memorial was built in 2003 as an act of reconciliation between the local indigenous people and the wider community.

It marks the first time white people were charged and convicted of murdering Aborigines, Mr Refshauge said.

"It was the first occasion when European law was applied to deliver justice for Aboriginal people," he said.

"That's why this act of vandalism is especially appalling."

Police were investigating whether the attack was racially motivated.

Source:The Australian

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