A total of 26 individuals sustained injuries, 104 were taken into custody, and close to 300 charges were filed following a series of disturbances. These incidents led to additional smaller riots erupting in nearby neighborhoods over the subsequent nights.

Concerns about the rise of racism and regression in Australia were also expressed. “In recent years, these issues seem to have become more pronounced, which is worrying for those of us working in multicultural spaces. It’s crucial that we take control of the narrative around what it means to be Australian,” the representative added.

“The power of relational health and communities just organically coming together to help each other out to develop skills and have a more inclusive surf culture that’s representative of what modern Australia is formed some really lovely, genuine friendships between communities that have had really fractured relationships for the last 20 years or so.”

Effects of racism ‘actually emboldened’

“So I think that the effects of racism and regression in Australia are actually emboldened in recent years, and it gives us all in the multicultural space cause for concern, and cause to mobilise ourselves about the taking control of the conversation about what an Australian is.”