Club Umina moves on drunken youth

Club Umina will host a meeting on October 19 to discuss possible strategies to minimise anti-social behaviour in Umina, after its bus was damaged by drunken young people.

General manager Mr Josh Collins said: "We have had a few incidents over the past few months involving drunken youths causing havoc, but the latest incident was the final straw.

"A group of drunken youths attacked our courtesy bus outside the club by climbing on the bus and causing several thousand dollars worth of damage.

"The youths also spat in the drivers face leaving him extremely distraught."

Mr Collins said the planned meeting would be attended by representatives of Gosford Council and Brisbane Water Police as well as Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews and Umina District Chamber of Commerce president Ms Sharon Martin.

"It is great to see community and government representatives show their interest," Mr Collins said.

"We are also looking to get local residents and businesses on board to come up with realistic and appropriate solutions to minimising violence and vandalism in Umina.

"We understand local police are doing their best to combat the problem but we believe it also comes down to the responsibility of parents to ask 'Where are my kids tonight'?

"It is time we changed the culture of parents in taking responsibility of the whereabouts of their kids at all times and also the supply of alcohol.

"Why are these kids being allowed out so late at night and where are they getting their alcohol from?

"It is time parents took some ownership of this problem."

Mr Collins said possible solutions to be discussed at the meeting would include engaging youths in organised activities and a media campaign to make parents aware of the issue.

"Anyone who would like to share their thoughts and ideas is encouraged to attend the meeting," Mr Collins said.

"Finding a workable solution cannot be done without community help and consultation."

The meeting will be held at Club Umina on Monday, October 19, from 6pm.

All interested parties are encouraged to contact Mr Collins on 4341 2618 or via email at joshc@clubumina.com.au

Mr Collins said the club would look to host a meeting every three months until a sustainable solution had been found.

Clare Graham, 29 Sep 2009 Interviewee: Josh Collins, Club Umina