Seven charged for defacing statue of women's rights campaigner

Seven women have been charged after allegedly damaging the statue of Zelda D’Aprano outside the Victorian Trades Hall earlier this month.

The statue, which honours the life of the iconic Melbourne women’s rights campaigner, was allegedly damaged by the group of women on Friday 6 March.

It’s alleged the women – who are all part of an activist group – attended Victoria Street at approximately 11am with umbrellas and red spray paint.

Police will allege they changed their clothing and put the umbrellas up in an attempt to block CCTV cameras and avoid being identified.

The women then allegedly sprayed red spray paint across the statue and surrounding tiles.

They were approached by staff members nearby before allegedly becoming aggressive and leaving the area.

Detectives from the Melbourne Divisional Response Unit have been investigating and identified eight allegedly involved.

Multiple search warrants were conducted today with seven women arrested, including:

• A 34-year-old from Melbourne

• A 34-year-old from Kew

• A 48-year-old from Coburg

• A 48-year-old from Footscray

• A 50-year-old from Coburg North

• A 55-year-old from Kingsbury

• A 71-year-old from Braybrook

All have been charged with a range of offences including criminal damage, behaving in a riotous manner in a public place, marking graffiti on a residence without consent, recklessly damaging part of a registered place without a permit and refusing to leave scheduled public place after a warning.

The 34-year-old Melbourne woman is appearing before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this evening.

The rest were bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 October 2026.

The eighth woman remains outstanding at this stage.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Media Unit

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