Bundiyarra plans to speak to family of 20 ‘prolific’ rock throwing Geraldton youths after community forum

A local Aboriginal group plans to meet with rock throwing youths’ parents after holding a public consultation that heard the community’s concerns on the matter, brainstorming ways to curb the issue. Department of Communities, Geraldton police and staff at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Organisation (BACAO) attended a successful public meeting on May 18, where more than 50 people in the community addressed their concerns, experiences and solutions to solve prolific rock throwing from youth. The consultation addressed the history of rock throwing and reasons why children were on the street. Guests spoke in front of the crowd or wrote down their concerns in smaller groups. Speakers addressed programs that could be beneficial for youths, such as bringing back Yamatji Community Patrol and establishing an after-hours safe house managed by Aboriginal elders. Event organiser Zain Laudehr-May said the day went well and BACAO was preparing a report to distribute to families over the next two weeks. “There was a lot of angst and we weren’t sure how people would react. We laid out some ground rules and said everyone was invited to speak but there would be no foul language or anger, and that was adhered to,” he said. Mr Laudehr said the plan was to meet with the parents of about 20 youths who were prolific rock throwers and present a similar forum raising the community’s concerns. “The forum will map out what support is needed, whether it be drugs, alcohol or overcrowding issues at home, and explain that if we don’t do something now the kids could end up in prison,” he said. BACAO will hold a third forum after speaking with the parents and the offenders where everyone will create a community plan. Mr Laudehr said BACAO was looking at funding to create short stories based on Thursday’s meeting to play at schools for education purposes. “There were a lot of concerns of vigilantism and people were fed up. It was about how are the parents going to be made responsible, and that comes from the Aboriginal community too,” he said. “There is no respect from these kids, even for us. Everyone is copping it, that’s why we need to stand together as a community now and work together towards a common goal.”