Restaurant rules

By JESSE GRAHAM
WARBURTON residents have shown solidarity in rallying to support local business, condemning the actions of vandals who threatened employees.
Armed with a banner reading “Residents Against Racism”, around 40 people gathered at the Warburton Curry Club on Saturday to show public support for the business.
The Curry Club has been open since the beginning of July, and has recently been subjected to vandalism that may be race-related.
The vandalism included eggs and bricks being thrown at windows overnight, and wooden blocks with nails left at the entrance to the building.
The public gathering was co-ordinated by Denzil Hunter and Shelley Croke, two local residents who both agree that the culprits represent a minority.
Mr Hunter and Ms Croke created a Facebook event to support the business after hearing about the attacks, gathering the online support of about 140 people.
Ms Croke, a 17-year-old administrative assistant from Millgrove said the cause resonated with her, and she was horrified that such attacks were happening.
“I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” she said. “It’s when their words or actions cause harm to others that I have a problem.
“I would probably try and point out (to the vandals) how good a new small business is for the community, but often there’s no talking sense to such people.”
Ms Croke said she felt ashamed when she heard of the attacks, and she wanted to help make things better for the business.
“The amount of support Denzil and I received when we put the event on Facebook reaffirmed my pride in the community,” she said. “I am really proud to have been a part of that.”
Mr Hunter, who witnessed one of the attacks and formulated the idea for the event, described the turnout as a “real statement of solidarity” for the business.
“Warburton is such a diverse place,” he said. “We really love that.”
Curry Club owners, Jimmy and Sam Singh provided the group with complimentary curry and presented Ms Croke with a bouquet of flowers as a sign of gratitude.
“The locals here support us really well,” Jimmy Singh said. “They came through for us, we wanted to do something for them.”
The Warburton Curry Club is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and can be contacted on 5966 9182.
Anyone with information on the vandalism attacks are urged to contact Lilydale Criminal Investigation Unit on 9739 2362.