Mount Compass Community Unites Against Vandalism on Australia Day Decorated Cow Statue

In a disappointing act of vandalism, a cow statue decorated for Australia Day in Mount Compass, a small community in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, was targeted with red paint. Alongside the cow, several road signs in the area were also defaced. Despite no established link between the vandalism and Australia Day, Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie expressed his disappointment, stating that the act went against the community’s spirit.

Mount Compass is known for its tight-knit community, and the cow statues symbolize a beloved part of this close community. Each year, the Mount Compass Lifestyle Group (MCLG) decorates the statues to reflect different occasions and events. This time, an Australian flag and a string of thongs adorned the cow.

The vandalism occurred between January 25 and January 26, but authorities have not yet identified any suspects. However, the incident brought the community together as locals rallied to clean and repair the damaged cow statue. Country Fire Service brigade Captain Anthony Baker and fellow members, along with his wife, promptly responded to the call for help and cleaned the statue.

The community’s response to the vandalism was a display of their spirit. The local supermarket donated replacement flags, and the cow statue was redecorated. However, the damage caused by the paint may have lasting effects. Stained grout and additional cracks in the cow’s head are now visible, necessitating potential repairs and regeneration in the future.

While the cost of repairs is currently unknown, the MCLG is determined to restore the cow to its former glory. The community remains resolute that acts of vandalism will not deter them from celebrating upcoming events. The cow statues, cherished by locals, hold no political affiliation and will soon be decorated for Valentine's Day, spreading love and unity.

The Mount Compass cow statues have a special significance as they were part of a community art project spanning back to the 1990s. The project involved the local school and received numerous hours of volunteer work from residents. The area itself has historical importance as a traditional meeting place for the indigenous Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, and Peramangk people. Notably, the community continues to rediscover the rich history of the Warki people of the Ngarrindjeri tribe who once resided nearby.