Latest news with #SamGibson
ABC News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Alice Springs council reverses ban on Central Australian Football League finals at Traegar Park
A remote community football league will play its finals series in Alice Springs next month after the town council reversed a decision to ban the games for two years. Last August, the Alice Springs Town Council banned the Central Australian Football League bush competition from playing finals games at Traegar Park for two years. It came after the competition's grand final match coincided with a spike in crime. Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson said the majority of the council voted to reverse the ban, but he was not in favour of the motion. "We made the original decision in August last year for a reason, nothing's changed," he said "Council have effectively rescinded an earlier decision and I think all that hard work and all that hard stuff that council have to do is now being let off. "I appreciate that we've all got differing views, but for me it's community footy, it should be played in community." The council voted to reverse the ban after the head of AFL NT, Sam Gibson, wrote to the council earlier this month. In the letter, Mr Gibson identified ways to mitigate the concerns of the council and proposed the football games again be held at Traegar Park. "[AFL] is a key pillar of positive social engagement and community cohesion throughout the Territory," he said. "To achieve a safe, fun and engaging finals series, AFL NT requires an appropriate venue. "Community venues do not have the appropriate infrastructure such as change rooms or secure fencing." Mr Gibson wrote that "in the unlikely event that an incident was to occur", Traegar Park's high fences provided a better option for crowd control and a safer environment. He said remote communities lacked access to "adequate wrap-around supports" and "services that are required with the influx of people". Mr Gibson also highlighted a number of risk mitigation strategies to encourage community members' "positive social behaviours and safe travels home" after the finals games finished in Alice Springs. Councillor Allison Bitar was in favour of the finals ban in August due to "planning and safety" concerns, but this week changed her mind and was among the councillors voting to reverse the ban. She said after reading AFL NT's proposal, she felt assured mitigation methods would keep community residents in community and reduce antisocial behaviour in town. "Last year [the finals] were played back to back, this year we've got an additional week between each game," she said. "AFL NT have also worked with charter companies so they'll be able to help people return home in between those games as well. "Plus they've also got some programs happening out at communities in the weeks following [the finals] that means there is a reason to go back home rather than stay in town." Additionally, she said some of the finals games would be live streamed in communities to minimise the need for community residents to travel to Alice Springs to see the game. The Central Australian Football League bush competition's finals series will go ahead at Traegar Park next month. A preliminary final will be played on August 10 and the grand final will be held on August 24. Both games start at 1pm. Mr Paterson said he hoped the AFL NT's mitigation strategies were effective. "I really do want people playing football ... I hope it goes seamless on the 24th of August and the 10th of August and AFL NT can say 'I told you so' and I'd be happy for that," he said.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Pittsburgh's East Liberty community reeling after weekend mass shooting
Pittsburgh's East Liberty community is still reeling from Sunday night's mass shooting at Garland Park. Authorities said five people were shot and about 10 people were treated for graze wounds or minor injuries from falls at the scene. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh Public Safety said 18-year-old Kyree McCray is facing several gun-related charges. While police investigate, people who live in the community feel their pain is being ignored, especially by elected officials. To bridge that gap, We The People 412 held a meeting on Wednesday and implored leaders to join them. "They have paid their taxes, they have paid their dues and these people's voices need to be heard," the founder of We The People 412, Sam Gibson, said. When violence happens where you live, you expect to hear from your city's leaders — the very people you expect to protect and care for you. But that's not what the people at Wednesday's meeting have been feeling. "They're afraid public safety is not here for them. They've been asking and asking what they can do, but no one's coming for them," Gibson said. "We need an open line. They need a seat at the table. They need to be able to contact someone who they have voted for." Many of these residents either heard the gunfire Sunday night in Garland Park or witnessed it. They describe not being able to sleep that night out of fear, and believe more police presence could have prevented the shooting. "There's a certain amount of safety that you should feel in your home. I'll speak for myself, I didn't feel too safe Sunday night," one resident said. Pittsburgh Police Zone 5 Sgt. Patrick Eaken was on hand to talk with the group and answer any questions they had. He assured the crowd that they're safe and have no reason to believe the violence will escalate. "We very much believe it was a targeted act of violence, and there's no reason to believe that it's going to continue in this area or any area," Eaken said. While hearing those words was comforting to some, others called it lip service. They say there are always large gatherings at the park into the early morning hours and never any police officers in sight, even when called. "Why did it have to take a shooting in this community for them to take notice when we've been asking for security, and they claim there's security in this community," resident Adrian Lindsey said. Everyone in attendance was reassured that there is help in the community. They were given a bag that contained contact information for community organizations.
NZ Herald
17-06-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
New Voices of Aotearoa: Gisborne author Sam Gibson gains recognition for Sam the Trap Man book
Gisborne outdoorsman, environmentalist and now author Sam Gibson has been named one of the New Voices of Aotearoa for his first book, Sam the Trap Man: Cracking Yarns And Tall Tales From The Bush. New Voices of Aotearoa is a competition initiated by The Coalition For Books 'aimed at amplifying
