Say no to alcohol opposite Wesley Boys' School

The City of South Perth, in its wisdom, approved a 120 capacity bar directly opposite Wesley College. The campus caters for pre-kindy up to year 12. The bar will be open every single day from 7am and close at midnight every day except Sunday when it will close at 10pm.

This is the first year that children in year 12 will be turning 18 during high school. They will be legally able to drink at the bar and the school will be powerless to stop them.  And what about their younger mates? What about the boarders? Would you send your child to boarding school knowing there's a bar right across the street?

The lure of the bar will prove irrestible to some children. Teenage boys are known risk-takers. Some are driving to school as P platers in years 11 and 12. What a bad mix!

We are not opposed to having a small bar in South Perth but we believe that placing it opposite the school, and in close proximity to two others in our neighbourhood, is indefensible. The bar will be in full view from the Wesley Sports grounds.

It is the responsibility of parents, teachers and community leaders to educate our children about the risks of alcohol. Education involves, to a large extent, modelling. That is, they learn by example. Children will be walking to and from school on a daily basis right past the bar. We are concerned about the daily modelling of alcohol consumption and that children will learn this is the norm.

We are concerned that young children may be subjected to lewd comments and anti-social behaviour by patrons under the influence of alcohol.

If you think this is a silly idea, please sign our on-line petition and let's move the bar elsewhere. Thanks for your support.