MELTON & MOORABOOL
Home » News » Melton battleground fear when groups descend town

Melton battleground fear when groups descend town

There are fears Melton will be turned into a battleground next month when anti-Islam and anti-racist groups descend on the town.

Anti-Islam group True Blue Crew will hold a rally in High Street on August 28.

Two anti-racist groups, including No Room for Racism, are considering a counter rally.

Melton MP Don Nardella said True Blue Crew was “breeding fear”, dividing communities and creating conflict in the town.

“These people have no affinity to Melton,” he said.

“They don’t care about Melton; they don’t care about families and they don’t care about the people who live here.

“All they want to do is spread their fear and hate and bile and vitriol and racism here in Melton and they should stay home.”

True Blue Crew says it will rally against “the rise of Islam in Melton”, citing the Islamic school, a planned mosque and the Iqra Village.

On a Facebook page rally organisers said that Melton “will do whatever is required to prevent Islamic ideology from taking hold”.

But Mr Nardella said there had been no problems at the Islamic School, based at Victoria University’s Melton campus.

“Nobody’s been radicalised; God hasn’t smitten the good folk of Melton South there; the devil hasn’t risen all the dead to take over the world,” Mr Nardella said.

“The kids are learning, the teachers are teaching and the families are happy their kids are getting the best education they can.”

A spokesman for the anti-racist groups, Chris Peterson, said his group would make a decision this week on whether to hold a counter rally.

Superintendent Lisa Hardeman said Victoria Police was aware of the True Blue Crew rally and there would be a strong police presence, including a range of specialist units from the mounted branch, police operational response team, highway patrol and air wing.

Police will search for weapons.

“We understand people have a right to protest peacefully, but urging violence and hatred within our community is not a form of free speech and will not be tolerated,” Superintendent Hardeman said.

She urged parents to consider if it was appropriate for children to attend the rally.

Melton council chief executive Kel Tori said council was aware of the rally, but had not received an application for a permit.

 

Digital Editions


  • EPA puts brands on notice over packaging waste

    EPA puts brands on notice over packaging waste

    Environmental Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has lost patience with companies that fail to show how they are reducing packaging waste, warning they risk significant penalties…

More News

  • Council seeks answers on freeway upgrades

    Council seeks answers on freeway upgrades

    Melton council has called for urgent clarity and expanded works as part of the long-awaited Western Freeway upgrade, unanimously backing a call for answers at its 23 February meeting. Council…

  • Sharing the dignity

    Sharing the dignity

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 536354 Darley Neighbourhood House (DNH) is tackling period poverty as part of the Share the Dignity Campaign, and it has already made a huge…

  • Desk hours reduced again

    Desk hours reduced again

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 206998 Caroline Springs Police Station has again come under the spotlight after the station hours were reduced for the second time in a month.…

  • CFA recruits wanted

    CFA recruits wanted

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 536638 Caroline Springs Fire Brigade is on the lookout for new recruits. “Whether you’re interested in responding to emergency calls, helping behind the scenes,…

  • Eagles remain focused

    Eagles remain focused

    Eynesbury Eagles have their sights set on fielding under-19 football and netball sides in next year’s Riddell District Football Netball League. The Eagles have built a successful junior program over…

  • Community calendar

    Community calendar

    Bacchus Marsh SES Sausage Sizzle Join the Bacchus Marsh SES Unit on the last Saturday of every month for a classic sausage sizzle. Say hi to the people who work…

  • Join Melton Performing Arts in Guards! Guards!

    Join Melton Performing Arts in Guards! Guards!

    Melton’s thespians and theatre lovers are being called to the stage for a very exciting opportunity, with Melton Performing Arts announcing auditions for its first production of 2026. The company…

  • Accused murderer makes bail bid

    Accused murderer makes bail bid

    Accused murderer Greg Lynn is not an unacceptable risk to the community, his lawyers have argued as he makes a bid for freedom. Lynn, 59, formerly of Caroline Springs, sat…

  • Special delivery: 30 years of love in the mail

    Special delivery: 30 years of love in the mail

    Meet Terry Love, the dedicated postie who’s been delivering to the Melton community for the past 30 years. Terry’s career began with Australia Post in 1996, when a friend encouraged…

  • Melton South childcare centre put on notice

    Melton South childcare centre put on notice

    A Melton South childcare centre has come under fire after an unannounced visit from the Victorian Early Childhood Regulator Authority (VECRA) revealed multiple breaches of national law and regulations relating…