Jacqui

If you're hoping to enjoy some New Year's Eve celebrations with young children, without drunken louts spoiling everything but don't mind drinking soft drinks yourself, head for Mandurah foreshore. There was an article in this week's paper confirming that this will be a completely alcohol-free event - the police will be pouring away any alcohol they find people drinking whether you're a teenage lout or a responsible drinker - the rules apply to all.

I'm not surprised really. My daughters are ambulance cadets and they get to see first-hand the horrible injuries that happen through drunken behaviour. Last year my eldest turned 16 so this allows her to do the late-night duty. We didn't wander too far from the St John enclosure as we were concerned for her safety, even though they were right next to the police, and set up our deckchairs and picnic rug to enjoy the evening. We witnessed many fights, arrests, drunken males and females and even lads as young as 12 off their heads, the ambulance officers running back and forth with another stretcher and police back-up. Scarey stuff and quite a shock for anyone believing Mandurah to be a "nice, quiet, safe place" at night.

This year there won't be any ambulance officers on duty, not enough adults volunteered (and who can blame them?) so let's hope with the alcohol ban that there won't be any serious incidents.

There will be plenty of street entertainers, fairground rides, stalls etc and two lots of fireworks, 9pm and midnight. Each year it seems to get more crowded, but there's a great atmosphere and it's nice just to chill out in the warm evening air watching people go by having fun (well except for the drunks that is )

rjs

We will be thereMy daughter is a St Johns cadet (luckily too young to be helping on New years eve)