AN ALLEGED glassing incident at the Wolumla Hotel last Saturday night that made headlines in Channel 7’s Sydney news broadcast this week has been described as “totally blown out of proportion”.
Wolumla Hotel manager Mark Buttarelli said on Wednesday that a recent report of a glassing incident by high profile NRL footballer Greg Bird had influenced the media coverage of what happened at the Wolumla Hotel.
“We are just a little pub in the middle of nowhere and I find it utterly ridiculous that this can make it to national news and even be reported in Queensland,” Mr Buttarelli said.
Two groups of men were at the hotel on Saturday night - one group was out celebrating a buck’s night.
“A few of the boys may have had too much to drink and a little argument about the past started between the buck and another bloke from the other group.
“It was simply a fight between a couple of old schoolmates, nobody is really sure if there even was a glass involved.
“There were punches thrown out on the front deck of the pub which may have caused the cuts to the face, but neither can say if it was from a glassing or not.
“The fight lasted for probably just over a minute before it was broken up.”
A 25-year-old man received first aid at the scene before being taken to the Bega Hospital.
“There have been worse things than this happen in my experience in pubs,” Mr Buttarelli said.
“I came from Newcastle to here three years ago.
“This is the first fight we’ve had here in the three years I’ve been here.”
Mr Buttarelli said there have been verbal arguments but never anything physical before.
“We’re a family pub,” he said.
“What annoys me more is what happened at the Lakeview Hotel in Merimbula over the weekend (involving several fights and anti social behaviour and requiring a large police presence).
“We’ve made more news about a “glassing” than them,” Mr Buttarelli said.
Mr Buttarelli said following the fight he ejected the buck’s party group - who had come from the ACT - from the premises and told them not to return.
“I haven’t seen most of the other group since Saturday night as they work away and come back on weekends to see their family. However, I have spoken to one of the group. They have been given some time to cool down.”
Bega Police sergeant Jo Mayer said alcohol-related incidents become more prevalent in the warmer months.
“They still happen all year round, but seem to increase in the summer time,” she said.
This is the first alleged glassing she has heard of in her time as an officer in the Bega Valley.
She said there are new tougher penalties in place against alcohol-related anti social offences, such as fighting.
If you are drunk, disorderly or violent at a hotel or club you will be asked to leave.
Failure to do so is committing a crime and can incur a $550 on the spot fine.
With the Group 16 Rugby League grand final day on Sunday, police are expecting a large crowd in Bega.
“Hopefully there will not be many alcohol-related incidents on grand final day,” Sgt Mayer said.
“There will be extra police on duty and they will be patrolling the sportsgrounds during the finals and the pubs and clubs.”
Sgt Mayer also said the public should be aware owners of licensed establishments also have powers to ban people who are exhibiting anti-social behaviour.
“I know that last weekend a number of people were barred from the Lakeview Hotel in Merimbula,” Sgt Mayer said.
Lakeview Hotel owners and management have decided to crack down on alcohol-fuelled anti social behaviour and will now issue a minimum of 12 months to life bans for patrons who misbehave within the club, outside the club or on their way home.
To prove its tougher stance on drunk and disorderly behaviour two life time bans and nine 12 month bans were issued to people involved in fights last Saturday night.
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