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City Screening of The Gathering

In a first for the City of Rockingham, youth targeted DVD The Gathering was screened to about 65 attendees from 22 local schools at Ace Cinemas on Wednesday 22 June.

The City of Melville’s professionally produced 27 minute drama has strong links to the Year 10 curriculum and is a tool to support discussion with young people and raise awareness of the dangers associated with the binge drinking of alcohol.

Special guests included Professor Mike Daube from the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth, Alicia Kilmnister, Coordinator Youth Services, City of Rockingham, Lorraine Dunkling Councillor and Chairperson Rockingham Kwinana Local Drug Action Group.

City of Rockingham Deputy Mayor, Brian Warner said: “The Gathering is a hard-hitting story of a group of adolescents coming face to face with the devastating effects of binge drinking. Themes include violence, sexual assault, vandalism, glassing and alcohol poisoning.

“The DVD promotes harm minimisation and personal responsibility in relation to safe alcohol consumption in young people.

“The misuse of alcohol creates many issues and imposes a financial burden on local government. Some of these issues include antisocial behaviour, littering, vandalism and graffiti.

“The City acknowledges that it has a role to play in changing the drinking culture. This can be achieved by providing safer environments for drinking, by managing the physical availability of alcohol, and through environmental design and planning that supports community wellbeing.

“Internally, the City is addressing local government issues relating to alcohol through the formation of the Alcohol Management Working Group. The purpose of this group is to facilitate a coordinated approach for the Divisions of the City of Rockingham to more effectively address alcohol-related issues within the Rockingham community, with the ultimate outcome of reducing harm caused by alcohol.”

“We applaud the work of our community partners – many of whom are here today, including members of our Local Drug Action Group, and schools. We will continue to work together to address alcohol-related issues in or community.”

The Gathering is an initiative of the City of Melville with support and sponsorship from The City of Rockingham, the City of Perth and Perth City Liquor Accord, LotteryWest and Healthway.

To obtain a copy of the DVD, contact the City's Health Services Team on 9528 0333. 

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