Once upon a time in Punchbowl !

SBS has just concluded a three part series  which purported to show the steady buildup of tensions between the Lebanese/Australian citizens of western Sydney and Anglo/Australians that led to what was described as the " Cronulla Race Riot " of December 4, 2005.   Unfortunately, it trivialised the very event that sparked this clash that broke news headlines around the world.

Lebanon had a long and vicious civil war that saw many of it's citizens migrate to Australia.  Like most migrant waves to our shores the Lebanese tended to form a ghetto in western Sydney and colonised the suburbs of Punchbowl, Greenacre and Bankstown.   They were a mixture of Muslims and Christians and they adhered to the homeland custom of giving freedom to boys that was strenuously denied to girls. Daughters were subjected to strict regimes of modest dress, selective association with friends - and virginity was sacrosanct.   Few such restrictions were placed on sons.

As with all national groups, these Lebanese/Australian suburbs had criminal elements.  In particular, Talopea street in Punchbowl became the centre of Lebanese gangs that were heavily involved in the drug trade and who specialized in the theft and rebirthing of expensive cars.   They were ostentatious and swaggering - and quickly developed a taste for firearms.

It was not long before there was open tension between these Lebanese gangs and the police.  Talopea street became an almost " no go " area and Australia was shocked by the brutal murder of schoolboy Edward Lee in October 1998.  He was attending a birthday party in Talopea street and accidentally entered the wrong address - with fatal consequences.

The police investigation angered the gangs and this led to the Bankstown police station being riddled with bullets on November 1, 1998.   It was an open challenge and a massive police response cracked down on the gangs.   Public sentiment hardened in 2000 when it was learned that a gang of fourteen Lebanese youths - led by Bilal Skaf - was enticing Australian girls to secluded parks and engaging in gang rapes.  The news that these rapists taunted their victims with racial slurs brought tempers to boiling point - and the rapists were convicted and given long gaol sentences.

At this time the ingredients of the Cronulla race riot were quietly brewing in this peaceful beachside suburb.
Cronulla is the only suburb where the railway station is just across the road from the beach and it was highly favoured by visitors from the western suburbs.  On weekends, big  groups of Lebanese Muslim boys started to call it " our beach " and use tactics that annoyed other beach users.    In particular, they tended to kick soccer balls amongst sun bathers.  This was a banned activity, but because of the numbers involved it was unwise for individuals to protest.

These activities resulted in complaints to the local police, but they went unanswered.   The attitude of the state government was to preserve peace at all cost - and the police were under instructions not to provoke dissent by charging Muslim youths.  The police simply refused to investigate and fobbed off complaints with claims that " identification would be impossible ".

The harassment escalated.  The presence of Australian girls wearing bikinis  drew a new tactic.  A group of Lebanese youths would surround a girl they managed to isolate and with the girl hidden from view the inner members would grope for sexual satisfaction.   If the girl was accompanied by her boyfriend and he tried to protect her, he would be beaten up by the gang.

One day in December this led to the flash point that would result in world headlines.   A girl broke free from a groping incident and ran to the beach lifesavers for protection.   Enraged, the youth gang used it's overwhelming numbers to viciously beat the lifesavers, requiring the presence of an ambulance and the need for medical attention.    A line had been crossed - and it brought consequences.

Someone grabbed a phone and described this incident in angry terms to a radio " shock jock "  - and from there the story took on a life of it's own.   Angry people began a call to " take our beach back " and quickly this drew a response.   On Sunday, December 4, 2005 a huge crowd assembled in response to this provocation - and at first they were good natured and convivial.

That quickly changed - under the urgings of the " Shock Jocks " who were covering the event on radio and a few agitators who were urging action.   Like most Australian crowds, many attended with an esky and beer to while away the day - and the mood quickly turned ugly.   Anyone who looked or dressed as what could be termed " Lebanese " was accosted and insulted.   The mood quickened and an incoming train load of passengers was purged in the hunt for what were termed " Wogs " !    Heavy police reinforcements eventually arrived - and the riot subsided.

There was an aftermath.   The " Cronulla riot " was live on radio and television, and that night masses of Lebanese gathered at the Lakemba Mosque, formed car convoys and launched a revenge attack on Sydney's beach suburbs.   Parked cars had their windows smashed,  citizens were assaulted and there was a lot of suburban damage before the police regained control.  In the hours that followed, tensions ran high.

The SBS show -  " Once upon a time in Punchbowl " - certainly got one thing right.   The shock of the so called " " Cronulla Race Riot " brought with it change.  The state government learned that refusing to allow the police to control minor incidents simply guarantees escalation.   Many Australians who took part in that riot were ashamed of their over reactions - and the Lebanese elders saw their place in Australia with new eyes.

There is a new mood of conciliation.   Many Muslim youths - including girls - are now participating members of Surf Lifesaving clubs.   No groups of predators roam Sydney beaches and there is more respect for the customs and mores that go with the Australian way of life.   A lot of things were learned because of the threat of the anarchy that prevailed in war torn Lebanon being reimposed here in Australia unless a middle ground could be found.

Peace has been restored between the Lebanese and Australian community that didn't exist before 2005.    We still have Lebanese gangsters, but there is now clear separation between the misfits that are generated within all race groups - and the " ordinary people " who simply want to live a peaceful life.

Perhaps the " Cronullla Race Riot " was a right of passage that was needed to clear the air.   In it's wake - many people now see things differently !