COLIN Issacs believes mindless vandals responsible for defacing a memorial commemorating the Myall Creek Massacre near Bingara should have been better educated to respect their heritage.
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Plaques detailing the 1830s massacre in which 28 Wirrayaraay Aboriginal men, women and children were killed, were defaced late last week when vandals gouged holes and scratched out words.
The massacre was the first time in Australian history where a group of white people were found guilty of murdering Aboriginal people.
The Myall Creek Memorial was erected in June 2000 by a group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, working together in an act of reconciliation.
Aboriginal elder and caretaker of the memorial Colin Issacs said the words "murder", "women" and "children" appearing on one plaque were gouged out and scratched by the vandals, leaving it unreadable.
"I don't know what to say," Mr Issacs said.
"I'm almost lost for words. I'm devastated and angered that anyone could do such a thing.
"This is the first time in five years the memorial has suffered an attack of vandalism. It's difficult to comprehend why anyone would do this. It's such a shame because this memorial has been erected for the public. To think that anyone could be so disrespectful and disregard the memorial's history and importance like this is unbelievable."
Inverell police officer Senior Constable Chris Curtin said an Aboriginal elder reported the incident to police on Friday.
"We got reports that deep gouges have been scratched into the plaques along the memorial walk," Constable Curtain said.
"Several of the plaques will have to be replaced."
Speaking at last year's anniversary of the massacre, Democrats' Senator Aden Ridgeway told those gathered at the Myall Creek Memorial that its annual commemoration was a great example of the community leading the way in reconciliation.
"This memorial service attended by the descendants of both the perpetrators and the murdered who acknowledge the callousness and brutality of the massacre, yet are able to remember the events together in a spirit of healing and moving on together," Mr Ridgeway said.
"Events like the yearly Myall Creek memorial service are not only just symbolic. They do lead to healing, they do lead to communities moving forward and do lead to a better future."
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Dr Andrew Refshauge yesterday condemned the attack saying it was a gross act of vandalism.
"Defacing this memorial is disrespectful and insulting to the people who were murdered and their families," Dr Refshauge said.
"It was built as a symbol of reconciliation in 2003 with strong support of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people from the region.
"The Myall Creek Memorial commemorates one of the most important turning points in Australia's history with its indigenous people.
"It marked the first time white people were charged and convicted of murdering Aborigines and was the first occasion when European law was applied to deliver justice for Aboriginal people."
