IT’S cause for considerable shame that Australia Day has become the country’s most violent public holiday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The vast majority of people always do the right thing and celebrate the day in the right spirit, at community gatherings or otherwise.
But an ugly side has emerged in recent times. There were drunken brawls in Albury in 2007 and 2008, and last year Wodonga police were attacked when an underage party got out of hand.
It’s not something families who want to embrace the day and an appreciation for living in the Lucky Country want to see, and it’s not something police should have to deal with.
Albury police will target hot-spots like Noreuil Park, Mungabareena Reserve and the Pines while Wodonga police will monitor Lake Hume, Rutherglen and the alpine region.
A plea for safety from police comes days after the NSW government announced sweeping changes to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence.
We can only hope that Border celebrations are not marred by any of that.
It’s great to live in the Lucky Country. The mystery is why some people view that as an excuse to get drunk, angry and violent.
