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Shopping centres might be privately owned enterprises but they should also be civic spaces where people gather to discuss the issues of the day, argues Felicia Di Stefano
By Felicia Di Stefano
WE WERE kicked out of the Wonthaggi Plaza last month. For over two years a local refugee support group, South Gippsland Rural Australians for Refugees, had been meeting outside the plaza for an hour on the first Saturday of each month.
We distribute information about refugees, explaining why they need to flee their birthland, to inform people about the current treatment of refugees, films we are screening, and to have various petitions and letters signed.
WE WERE kicked out of the Wonthaggi Plaza last month. For over two years a local refugee support group, South Gippsland Rural Australians for Refugees, had been meeting outside the plaza for an hour on the first Saturday of each month.
We distribute information about refugees, explaining why they need to flee their birthland, to inform people about the current treatment of refugees, films we are screening, and to have various petitions and letters signed.
But in August the Coles manager came to tell us we had no right to be there, that this was private property and we needed permission from the plaza manager. So much for the community support Coles speaks of on its website.
We chose the plaza as a meeting place as it was public, spacious and had a roof. It had been a great decision. We stand outside but to the sides and away from the doors, usually around the large pillars, making sure we do not block the foot traffic or other traffic.
Between four and ten of us stood quietly with signs such as; “Everybody has a right to a safe home” and “Refugees are welcome here”.
People would come up to speak about refugee issues, take a flier, sign a petition or just have a laugh and a chat. Some would drop a dollar into our collection box to be passed onto organisations that support refugees. Some walked past quickly, looking the other way. Some turned a frowning face towards us and some let us know clearly that they would rather not let refugees into Australia. But the latter were in the minority.
We chose the plaza as a meeting place as it was public, spacious and had a roof. It had been a great decision. We stand outside but to the sides and away from the doors, usually around the large pillars, making sure we do not block the foot traffic or other traffic.
Between four and ten of us stood quietly with signs such as; “Everybody has a right to a safe home” and “Refugees are welcome here”.
People would come up to speak about refugee issues, take a flier, sign a petition or just have a laugh and a chat. Some would drop a dollar into our collection box to be passed onto organisations that support refugees. Some walked past quickly, looking the other way. Some turned a frowning face towards us and some let us know clearly that they would rather not let refugees into Australia. But the latter were in the minority.
The manager of Wonthaggi Plaza, Joy Huson, responded:
We have recently spoken to a representative of RAR and offered them space within the centre, with a table and chairs, free of charge, where customers can approach them to find out more about RAR and the good work that they do.
For any local group to come into the centre, they must have public liability insurance and we happily accommodate them. To date they have not taken us up on this offer.
Please understand, we do not allow ANY group to hold a rally outside the shopping centre, but they are always welcome (in smaller numbers) to book a space inside the centre.
We have recently spoken to a representative of RAR and offered them space within the centre, with a table and chairs, free of charge, where customers can approach them to find out more about RAR and the good work that they do.
For any local group to come into the centre, they must have public liability insurance and we happily accommodate them. To date they have not taken us up on this offer.
Please understand, we do not allow ANY group to hold a rally outside the shopping centre, but they are always welcome (in smaller numbers) to book a space inside the centre.
We came to look forward to our Saturday morning rallies which we evaluated as useful tools towards our goal of informing the public about the current conditions of the refugees who tried to come to Australia for safety, peace and protection.
We wrote to the manager of Wonthaggi Plaza, Joy Huson, telling her who we are, what we have been doing and asking permission to keep meeting at the plaza. She said no. We could, she said, apply each month for permission to have a little table with one, at the most two, people sitting inside the plaza but no, we could not resume the meetings we had been holding for two years. We could be like all the other charities. But we are not a charity. We are a community organisation whose members enjoy interacting with other members of the community.
So much for supporting community unity, interaction and spirit. It seems we are only welcome at the Wonthaggi Plaza if we are spending money there.
I contacted David Whiting, the lawyer on Jon Faine’s morning program on the ABC. He told me that Joy had every right to banish us as we were meeting on private property.
These newcomers have the law on their side but so did Vesteys, the huge pastoralists, when they amassed huge chunks of Australia and did not allow the first people to hunt there.
The Wonthaggi historian, Sam Gatto, told us of a long ago Wonthaggi where people used to gather in town and discuss all sorts of things and life in general. Gatherings in public places were a part of the Wonthaggi community when each was helping the other during the miners’ strike. I feel it remains in the friendly feeling of Wonthaggi I have when I walk the streets, smile at people and have chats. It is even in our Wonthaggi song:
“As I walk down the street
All my pals I will greet
On the same corner where we used to meet.”
Being free to gather in public places is a part of the friendly Wonthaggi community, part of the ethos of the town. Even though the plaza is privately owned it is where the public is invited to spend their money. Then why not to meet one another, to gather and discuss the issues of the day?
Felicia Di Stefano is a member of South Gippsland Rural Australians for Refugees.
We wrote to the manager of Wonthaggi Plaza, Joy Huson, telling her who we are, what we have been doing and asking permission to keep meeting at the plaza. She said no. We could, she said, apply each month for permission to have a little table with one, at the most two, people sitting inside the plaza but no, we could not resume the meetings we had been holding for two years. We could be like all the other charities. But we are not a charity. We are a community organisation whose members enjoy interacting with other members of the community.
So much for supporting community unity, interaction and spirit. It seems we are only welcome at the Wonthaggi Plaza if we are spending money there.
I contacted David Whiting, the lawyer on Jon Faine’s morning program on the ABC. He told me that Joy had every right to banish us as we were meeting on private property.
These newcomers have the law on their side but so did Vesteys, the huge pastoralists, when they amassed huge chunks of Australia and did not allow the first people to hunt there.
The Wonthaggi historian, Sam Gatto, told us of a long ago Wonthaggi where people used to gather in town and discuss all sorts of things and life in general. Gatherings in public places were a part of the Wonthaggi community when each was helping the other during the miners’ strike. I feel it remains in the friendly feeling of Wonthaggi I have when I walk the streets, smile at people and have chats. It is even in our Wonthaggi song:
“As I walk down the street
All my pals I will greet
On the same corner where we used to meet.”
Being free to gather in public places is a part of the friendly Wonthaggi community, part of the ethos of the town. Even though the plaza is privately owned it is where the public is invited to spend their money. Then why not to meet one another, to gather and discuss the issues of the day?
Felicia Di Stefano is a member of South Gippsland Rural Australians for Refugees.
Trading spaces have always been gathering places. Wonthaggi, early 1970s. Bonds corner, looking south on McBride Avenue. Photo: Frank Coldebella
Comments are closed.
Imagine if a preacher was stationed there telling people about the love of God. There would be an outcry!
They can have a table inside like every other group, meaning that members of the public can actually make a choice if they want to receive the information, instead of having it pushed upon them.
But they won't do that.
The lack of community support they accuse Coles of has nothing to do with allowing private lobby groups to confront shoppers who are innocently trying to do their errands.
I write all this, and yet I agree with their message. I just don't agree with their methods.
Why not use the public spaces such as Apex Park or the park at the top of McBride Avenue. Plenty of room for a large group without being a nuisance. Or perhaps SGRAR could do what every other community group has to....pay for a meeting room.
I tend not to listen to any group who I find confrontational.
The attitude of the writer does not help change my mind.
Go and do your thing in Apex Park where you can meet the public and present your point of view, if they care to listen to it, and not on Private property.
And I so agree that the attitude of the writer does not help your cause one little bit.
Among other actions, SGRAR gathers once a month for an hour to continue to highlight the human right abuses happening under the Australian Government's indefinite offshore detention policy.
We do not want to upset, or even inconvenience, people but we do want the public to be aware of the human right abuses embedded in our Government's asylum seeker and refugee policies.
I moved to Inverloch 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with the community spirit in both Inverloch and especially Wonthaggi. Of course people hold many different views and discussing these views is what makes the community. I was so pleased at the last election when I gave out how to vote cards that everyone handing out cards, even though our political views were diverse, had very friendly chats with each other.
As for RAR, this group has met at ApexPark sometimes, but rain makes this unsuitable on many occasions. Having a regular, dry place to meet is far better. The group discusses refugees with those who approach them. I have occasionally joined the group outside Coles and people have approached us because they wanted to talk to us and find out more. I remember, in particular, one man who approached me who believed that ‘boat people’ should not be allowed into Australia. Neither of us were going to change our minds, but we still had a great discussion.
> It is such a shame that similar discussions will not be able to take place in future. I appreciate the offer for 1 or 2 people to sit inside, but part of what RAR does include everyone who wants to attend. With a small table, this would not be possible.
To those who are against these protests, how lucky are you to be able to voice your minority opinion? Imagine if you were driven from your home - your country - because of it. Lucky for you I would be out there, in the public domain, protesting your treatment and demanding you be given the opportunity to live your life as you choose
such a shame to lose an opportunity for community engagement, whether an issue you believe in or not, being able to discuss issues respectfully on neutral ground builds a stronger community
and I thought it would've been good for business too ... I'll now be doing my shopping somewhere else
But they are the kindest of people who cannot let the unkindness & injustice being inflicted on people who have committed no crimes, be hidden from public view.
Hands up if you think the world would be a better place if we all showed more kindness & caring...
As you rightly say "Even though the plaza is privately owned it is where the public is invited to spend their money" ... I wonder why we accept that invitation; I for one will no longer do so.
They need our support. And that our Federal Government (and opposition) are part of the real problem.
The opening comment started "It doesn't take a lot of thought..." That's the real problem here.
Not a lot of thought beyond the immediate. And bugger all media coverage beyond reactionary stereotyping.
That's why we need SGRAR and The Post everywhere. Everyday.
Keep going, Felicia
Thanks for all that you do to draw attention to the sad and desparate plight of others. In the spirit of community I wish you well in your search for a new location. I hope you get the support that you deserve.
A big thumbs-up to your constancy and perseverance in the cause of the good and the true.