Two women charged as Melbourne RSL sites vandalised with offensive graffiti on Anzac Day

Two women have been charged after several RSL sub-branches across Melbourne were vandalised on Anzac Day, with police linking the incidents to offensive graffiti targeting veterans and the Australian Defence Force. The women, aged 20 and 22, were allegedly caught spray-painting a wall at Heidelberg RSL about 1.45am after members spotted the vandalism in progress. Police say the pair attempted to flee but were chased on foot and arrested.

Both have been charged with criminal damage, marking graffiti on property without consent, and possessing a graffiti implement. They have been bailed to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on May 19.

Police believe two other acts of vandalism are connected to the incident. The Reservoir RSL sub-branch building was also targeted overnight with graffiti described as “containing anti-veteran, anti-Australian Defence Force and deeply offensive slurs”.


A spokesperson for the sub-branch condemned the attack as “disgraceful” but praised the response from the community. “Sometime overnight, offenders targeted our building with hateful graffiti containing anti-veteran, anti-Australian Defence Force and deeply offensive slurs,” the statement said, as quoted by 9News.

These messages were sprayed across multiple external walls of our club on one of the most sacred and significant days in our national calendar. To deliberately target a veterans' organisation on ANZAC Day is disgraceful. It was clearly intended to cause hurt, division and distress to veterans, serving members, their families, and the broader community who gather each year to honour sacrifice and service.

Despite this hateful act, the offenders failed in their objective. “Following the service, many attendees and members were unfortunately exposed to the graffiti while attending our traditional Gunfire Breakfast. While upsetting, the overwhelming response from the public was one of unity, support and condemnation of those responsible.

“Today, as always, Reservoir stood together.” The Fawkner RSL Memorial stone was also vandalised, according to that branch, which said locals had pledged to help restore it. “The paint will be removed and our memorial will be restored to honour the glory of our fallen,” the statement said.