The Cronulla riots of December in 2005 is not a proud event in Australian history.  Perhaps the events speak more of exclusion and difference than violence.  The causes are not simple. There have always been elements in Australian society afraid and critical of ‘the other’, the perceived outsider. Sometime these views have been fanned by political and media commentary and in this instance, alcohol as well. Police and commenters on the day agree that alcohol certainly fuelled the violence as well as some elements of the media.

5,000 people turned up on Cronulla beach on the morning of 11th December 2005. Social media had been exploding that morning with 270,000 texts sent.  This followed days of unrest between two tribes, Cronulla males and some Lakemba locals. On the morning of the 11th some men of middle eastern appearance were assaulted, others chased from the area. Later, Cronulla locals headed to Punchbowl to seek retribution, thankfully police blockades were in place.

Police laid 285 charges against 104 people; 51 were charge over the rally and 53 over the retaliation.

Something good came out of the day. Dr Jamal Rifi, a medical practioner and President of the Lakemba Sport  & Recreation club, won a human rights medal for his work following the Cronulla riots. He worked with Ken Moroney the then NSW Commissioner for Police to create 'On the Same Wave' program. Working with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) people from middle eastern background joined the North Cronulla surf club. The program, initially funded by the federal government  was successful for years in breaking down racial stereotypes.