When Nambucca Heads Lions’ Paul Wood turns up every morning, 365 days a year at Bellwood Park to clean the barbecues the last thing he expects is to be physically attacked.
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But that is what happened on Sunday morning at about 7am.
“I arrived as usual with my bucket and gear … I noticed the place was a mess with beer cans and bottles scattered around and I started to take some photos,” Paul said.
“This bloke came up to me and told me to take photos of the mess around the barbecue, not the grounds – he was quite angry.
“I went back to the car and when I was returning with a bucket of water to clean the barbecues he tackled me.”
Paul said some other people contacted the police, who arrived 15 minutes later however the man had already left in a car.
“I talked to the police but I was shaking like a leaf.
“This is a public park, we like to keep it clean … it is sad when this happens but I won’t be giving up.”
Nambucca Lions president Grahame Beaton said members cleaned six barbecues in the area as a community service.
“They should not have to put up with this sort of abuse … they have to be able to feel safe,” Grahame said.
Fellow Lion Peter O’Neill said Bellwood Park had previously been his beat and although he had been yelled at a few times, nothing like this had ever happened.
“The park has improved a lot but there are still times when it gets really bad, particularly around football season,” Peter said.
“It can take up to two hours, with the help of people out on their morning walks to pick up all the papers.
“It is the groups at night who are the worst – they don’t bother to put anything in the bin.”
Grahame added that the majority of people were good.
“We will continue to do our jobs and if a place is unsafe, we’ll come back later,” he said.
Mid North Coast Local Area Command Detective Inspector Guy Flaherty said no assaults were tolerated.
“But it is concerning that this was a volunteer giving their time to ensure the place was clean for residents and visitors,” Insp Flaherty said.
“This is an alcohol-free area and penalties apply.”
He said the area was regularly patrolled to address youth crime and that patrols would now be increased on a random basis.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to phone CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
“He was Aboriginal in appearance, mid to late twenties, 5ft 8-10inches tall and wearing a black Hurley hoodie. He was with a woman, also Aboriginal in appearance, wearing black tights and a grey sweater with orange fluoro stripes.”
