forums - Media's Latest Stunt.....

Courtesey of the Sunday Mail...

Queue up - it's so easy to get in

15feb04
UNDER-AGE teenagers can enjoy a night out in city bars and nightclubs – and order alcoholic drinks – without using fake identification cards.



A Sunday Mail investigation has revealed glaring deficiencies in security and exposed South Australia's loose licensing laws.

On Thursday and Friday night, two 15-year-old girls – actors hired by the Sunday Mail – gained easy access to 11 licensed venues, bypassing bouncers at the door.

Of the 22 venues they visited, four held an entertainment licence which restricts minors – those aged under 18 – after 9pm.

Two venues – Zhivargo, in Light Square, and Iso Bar, in Hindley St – allowed the girls inside after that time. The other two – Cargo and Moskva Vodka Bar West, also in Hindley St – asked for proof of age and when ID cards were not shown, the girls were refused entry.

In six venues, Kate and Zoe ordered – but did not buy or consume – alcohol from bar staff who never questioned their age.

The pair were accompanied by Sunday Mail staff at all times.

The probe follows an incident at Heaven nightclub last Sunday night in which four people – including two 15-year-old girls – were hospitalised after overdosing on the potentially fatal designer drug Ecstasy.

Premier Mike Rann said yesterday he was "outraged" Kate and Zoe were able to gain easy access to licensed premises as well as ordering drinks.

"Licensed venues that break the law should be penalised and I'd like to see repeat offenders lose their licence," he said. "Pubs and clubs will be made accountable."

The revelations come as:

HEAVEN nightclub owners face seven counts of allowing minors to consume alcohol. They have also been charged with endangering patrons' health and safety.

THE Australian Hotels Association calls for changes to state legislation which allows minors to be in a licensed premises without an adult until midnight.

AHA president John Lewis said he wanted to meet with Mr Rann this week to address industry concerns.

"There is no doubt there needs to be a review," Mr Lewis said.

"In other states, minors are not permitted without supervision at any time and perhaps it should be the same here."

But he also believed minors should receive greater penalties for flouting the law in SA.

"They are responsible for their actions and should not just be the onus of the industry," he said.

"These teenagers are fully aware of what they are doing when they disregard the law.

"It is also harder and harder to identify minors because teenagers look so much older today."

Mr Lewis said fake IDs were also much more sophisticated.

"There is a high degree of professionalism and there are definitely a number of fake IDs which are identical to driving licences."

Zoe and Kate said they were surprised at how relatively easy it was to enter nightspots and to order drinks.

Based on legal advice, the girls asked for alcohol but cancelled their orders when the bar staff went to pour the drinks.

"I find it really scary (to get in and order a drink)," said Kate.

"It is just so easy and some bouncers and the barmen take it for granted that we are the right age." Zoe did not think it would be so easy. "I am so surprised it was, especially without ID," she said.

Liquor Licensing Commissioner Bill Pryor said it was difficult to monitor venues which disregarded their licensing obligations.

"Clearly, if minors want to get into bars they can, and they do buy alcohol," he said.

"We are reliant on parents complaining, our inspectors and the police to stop minors going into licence premises.

"Generally speaking, most licensed premises do the right thing but there are occasional lapses."

The Sunday Mail contacted all venues which allowed the two girls on their premises.

The managers of the General Havelock, Stag and Crown & Anchor said they stringently checked for ID, regularly confiscated fake IDs on weekends and, if necessary, reprimanded staff.

"I am extremely concerned these girls were let in and I will be dealing with the bouncer involved," General Havelock general manager Ben Sampson said.

Crown & Anchor manager Samara Hassen said she was "extremely surprised" one of the girls was able to order a drink without being asked for ID.

"When it comes to underage drinking I would consider our hotel one of the stricter ones around town," she said.

"Sometimes our bar staff check for ID after pouring the drink and before money changes hands, so I don't think this particular transaction to the 15-year-old would have been completed."

Zhivargo, Worldsend and FAD declined to comment, while Supermild and the Garage could not be contacted.

After gaining entry on Thursday night, the Botanic was adamant minors would not have been served alcohol or permitted entry. But on Friday our team was able to enter the bar and order alcohol.




So what do people think about this?? Personally I think the media are scumbags and are cashing in on what occured last week. Makes me ashamed to me in the industry and that the media in SA are such scumbags... Here they are preaching about the fact that underagers should not be on the premises yet they use their own "actresses" to conduct a field study.. What a contradiction....

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Originally posted by Chrysoula


"I find it really scary (to get in and order a drink)," said Kate.

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yeah i read that


the girls didnt look THAT old either... (they both had braces.. and looked 15 imo)

may be there on to some thing there....
as i understand these media people took these girls out for a wicked time.
I wounder where they hire them..

Should it come to question the fact that there hireing underage girls for a night on the town..?

I've been 18 for 2 months now and i get asked for id now more than before. I always go out with my two best friends, who i go to school with and one of them still have 3 more months till her birthday and she hardly gets asked. We find it's hard to get in to heaven but its easy to go to the smaller clubs. The guys on the door at traffic always ask but the doorgirl does not, but sometimes with clubs its the other way around. I've been told that bouncers on the door will ask for id on a hot girl not to check her age but to find out her name. We have found that the clubs on the east side of town tend not to ask as much as clubs on the west side of town. I go to more d'n'b events now and they hardly ever ask for id.

I think after the actions of this little stunt EVERYONE will be getting asked for ID as a precaution... and I'm assuming everyone and things are gonna get stepped up a notch...

Very sneaky and innapropriate and I agree with what Yancey and Cait have to say...

Its wrong on both side of the coin.... but...

maybe it will start a trend for clubs to hire their own underage actors, that way when the media come along the doorgirl can say...

"sorry we have enough underage actors tonight"

Hah! I'm going to start up an underage actors group... for special clientel who want to make themselves look like idiots when they try to prove something they've been railing against all week.

Maybe Mike Rann will close down the Sunday Mail and do us all a favour - it is the worst Newspaper I have ever had the misfortune to read!

does the fact that the paper has it in writeing that they took under age girls out clubbing, bought them drinks...

wouldn't the LL court have to follow that up..

also note that they list only the clubs they got in to and not the ones that turned them away..

I say "brovo" to the clubs that did not let them in!

The Sunday Mail is a magazine with a tabloid layout and media. Further, its contents are bollocks. The Herald-Sun in Melbourne is similar in quality to the advertiser. The Age is a much better paper, however I dont read it because I just cant deal with the broadsheet format...

Anyway, ALL MURDOCH PAPERS ARE BAD!!!

It's pretty sad that the papers are obviously so stretched for content that they have to go out there and make their own. Personally I find it appauling that they did this and hope that they are fined and their stupid social experiment is recognised and they are dealt with appropriatly...

What a mob of hypocrites...

How nieve of you Chrys, didn't you realise the drug problem will disappear completely if they close all the night clubs.

Yeah I saw this today as well. Bit of a farce. The media always flog a subject for a short while. Anyone remember the Anna Wood saga? I thought they would never put that one to rest.
The only reason this became such an issue about underagers in Heaven (or nightclubs / pubs for that matter) was because they ODed. Doesn't surprise me either since they were only 15 and probably had NO idea what the were doing or had any knowledge / education of the substance they were taking. Underagers have been getting into clubs for years. Hell, I was getting in to clubs / pubs on a regular basis when I was underage back in 92 and 93.....and the media makes it sound like they just realised and it's all of a sudden a big problem. Can someone tell me which rock some of these journalists were hiding under for all these years?
Mike Rann is a bloody opportunist by making himself look like such a big hero for all the conservatives in Adelaide on this one. He is milking it for all it's worth.

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Originally posted by Chrysoula

HEAVEN nightclub owners face seven counts of allowing minors to consume alcohol. They have also been charged with endangering patrons' health and safety.

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Originally posted by zeus
does this mean the host of the house they were at be endangering their lives since they would be on their premises?

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Originally posted by NTrance
How nieve of you Chrys, didn't you realise the drug problem will disappear completely if they close all the night clubs.

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Can someone tell me which rock some of these journalists were hiding under for all these years?

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Now this I don't get. How the hell can Heaven by held responsible for endangering the lives of patrons? Did Heaven make the girls take Ecstasy? Did they sell it to them? I know it's been said before on another post but I'll say it again. The fact they were in Heaven was probably a good thing as they will have got the assistance they needed. Can anyone picture what would have happened if these kids had taken Ecstasy at someone's house? Going by what has been said above, does this mean the host of the house they were at be endangering their lives since they would be on their premises?

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maybe now people may understand why i get so fired up when people refur to may footage being used by these groups of media.

i thought under age escorts r illegal

bwahahahahahahahahaha, i find this uttrerly hilarious and i think it's fucking great the SM went out and did this!!!!!!!!!


i work for a major bottleshop chain and the 'company policy' is anyone who even looks remotely 25 or under must be asked to present ID or they will not be served. now this is because the penalties for supplying alcohol to minors are fucking huge, not just for the staff member, but for the business as well.


i love it when little punks come in and you ask them to present and theyre like ahhhhhh, lemme just get it from the car, and then in full view, they go outside to one of their older friends (who in general have already bought a truckload of piss for all the 'smart kids') and tell them to come in and buy their shit, and then the older kid gets pissed off cos you wont serve him (and i love a good screaming match too, it gets quite loud at my work sometimes)

so bwahHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHA to all the stupid kids that don't have the foresight to say to someone this is what i want, get it for me please, and not even set foot in the fucking place!!!!!


/end rant

I have a friend who reports for Sunday Mail.



Shall I have a word? Haven't seen her responsible for bollocks yet, but have seen many others!

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Originally posted by Logik
I have a friend who reports for Sunday Mail.



Shall I have a word? Haven't seen her responsible for bollocks yet, but have seen many others!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Logik
I have a friend who reports for Sunday Mail.



Shall I have a word? Haven't seen her responsible for bollocks yet, but have seen many others!

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Originally posted by Chrysoula


I wouldnt admit to knowing anyone that worked there if i was you... far from being friends with them.. sometimes they dont understand the concept off the record either when they are meant to imo and experience of a few people that have dealt with them..

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The Sunday Mail should be fined for impersonating a newspaper.

Since when has the truth ever got in the way of a good story ...

rule no 1 - sell newspapers
rule no 2 - I am not prepared to name my sources

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Originally posted by crazy1
i'm not so good at bullshitting (well about current affairs anyway!), so probably wouldn't have gone too well! lol

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The probe follows an incident at Heaven nightclub last Sunday night in which four people – including two 15-year-old girls – were hospitalised after overdosing on the potentially fatal designer drug Ecstasy.

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But wait theres more...... as taken from the Advertiser today...


Violent crime claims at nightclub
By Court Reporter MICHAEL OWEN-BROWN
17feb04
MORE than 160 crimes were allegedly committed in or around Heaven nightclub in just over a year, police statistics have revealed.

Eighty of those matters involved the nightclub's security staff allegedly assaulting patrons, according to a document lodged with the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.

In comparison, rival nightclubs the New York Bar & Grill and The Planet had a combined total of just seven alleged assaults by crowd controllers in the same period.

In most incidents around Heaven, no charges were laid – because there was insufficient evidence or the alleged victims did not want to press charges.

The statistics are attached to an application to force the nightclub to install video cameras inside and outside the venue.

The cameras would operate while the premises were open and for an hour after closing, and the footage would be retained for at least a week and supplied to the police on request.

Police also want Heaven – on the West Tce premises of the Newmarket Hotel – to keep a journal of all incidents where people are refused entry or ejected.

The police application lists many instances when patrons were allegedly punched, kicked, kneed, stomped – and robbed – by Heaven's security staff.

"This highlights that the Newmarket Hotel has a very high rate of reported assaults by security upon patrons compared to the other two licensed premises," the application states. Of the 164 alleged crimes reported near Heaven between July 16, 2002, and July 27, 2003, there were 106 related to assaults, 27 related to assaults occasioning actual bodily harm, one related to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, two alleged attempted murders and two alleged rapes.

In the same period, the New York Bar & Grill at Marion had 33 reported crimes – three of which were alleged assaults by security staff. The Planet on Pirie St had 20 reported crimes, including four alleged assaults by security staff.

Heaven manager John Pike did not return phone calls yesterday. Also yesterday, the Newmarket Hotel faced seven counts of allowing a minor into its premises, which arose from the ecstasy overdoses of four under-age clubbers this month.

The matter, in the Liquor Licensing Court, was adjourned until next month


FFS as if this isnt a head hunt on Heaven... I cant believe the media.. even more reason for me to hate them... This has really been blown out of proportion.. Am contemplating giving the editor a piece of my opinion..... This is just ridiculous.. It's obvious that the publication are strapped for content as they are continually creating more negative stories to air about the club and the scene... Is this ever going to end???

Big up's to Heaven. I'll be there this weekend no matter what the lying media say.. I also know alot of other people that still will be attending in light of recent events.... You guys rock and no matter what shit these scoundrels fling at you alot of us will still be there showing our support and respect...

I wouldnt even use the Advertiser or Sunday mail for my dog to shit on... it's not worthy..

but wait there is more.... courtesy of the advertiser....

Violent crime claims at nightclub
By Court Reporter MICHAEL OWEN-BROWN
17feb04
MORE than 160 crimes were allegedly committed in or around Heaven nightclub in just over a year, police statistics have revealed.

Eighty of those matters involved the nightclub's security staff allegedly assaulting patrons, according to a document lodged with the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.

In comparison, rival nightclubs the New York Bar & Grill and The Planet had a combined total of just seven alleged assaults by crowd controllers in the same period.

In most incidents around Heaven, no charges were laid – because there was insufficient evidence or the alleged victims did not want to press charges.

The statistics are attached to an application to force the nightclub to install video cameras inside and outside the venue.

The cameras would operate while the premises were open and for an hour after closing, and the footage would be retained for at least a week and supplied to the police on request.

Police also want Heaven – on the West Tce premises of the Newmarket Hotel – to keep a journal of all incidents where people are refused entry or ejected.

The police application lists many instances when patrons were allegedly punched, kicked, kneed, stomped – and robbed – by Heaven's security staff.

"This highlights that the Newmarket Hotel has a very high rate of reported assaults by security upon patrons compared to the other two licensed premises," the application states. Of the 164 alleged crimes reported near Heaven between July 16, 2002, and July 27, 2003, there were 106 related to assaults, 27 related to assaults occasioning actual bodily harm, one related to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, two alleged attempted murders and two alleged rapes.

In the same period, the New York Bar & Grill at Marion had 33 reported crimes – three of which were alleged assaults by security staff. The Planet on Pirie St had 20 reported crimes, including four alleged assaults by security staff.

Heaven manager John Pike did not return phone calls yesterday. Also yesterday, the Newmarket Hotel faced seven counts of allowing a minor into its premises, which arose from the ecstasy overdoses of four under-age clubbers this month.

The matter, in the Liquor Licensing Court, was adjourned until next month.

This article being published appears to me that the publication is obviously starved for content at the moment and trying to milk and incident for what it is worth... It is by far not doing the club any favours publicity whise and going after Heaven by the horns from what I can gather..

Yes unfortunate shit has occured but focussing on it and finding ways to keep it as a main news item coming up to 10 days now is fuckin ridiculous... Get some new content.. Talented writers would be capable of finding new and intereting content now making continuing to drag something like this out.. Infurates me even more...

What interests me about this one is the fact that they used NYBG and Planet as examples.. Planet I would not hold in regard as being competetive with Heaven anymore.. it's been shut now for some time and hasnt had quite the standard of patrons or profile compared to Heaven for quite some time as for NYBG I dont go there so cant comment on their clientel..

OK lets formulate this scenario...

Saturday night. add alcohol or chemical or mixture of both
Venue that offers a vast variety of musical tastes
Therefore attrating verstatile and mixed genre of people
With those people bring various attitudes, views and beliefs, genders and other contributing factors

From that equasion wherever the venue there is always a possibility of disagreements and discrepencies occuring.. If shit is going to go down it will where ever you are...

I have seen the Heaven security in action on a number of occassions and have found them in my personal experience to be on the ball and proffesional.. My uncle and dad have both worked in Nightclub security for at least ten years now both in Adelaide and the country so I know alot of the stories and stuff that goes on. Therefore I have respect and understanding for the job that those in the security industry do.

Yes some are tossers and some should not be in the job at all ( and I am not pin pointing any specific clubs or venues here) I personally would never be able to do the job..

With a big club and the fact that I am assuming that Heaven brings a through more patrons that NYBG (please correct me if I am wrong as I mentioned I do not go there) that of course there are going to be fights and wankers there.. There are always going to be arseholes who will fight and do whatever that is inevitable wherever the place or time... I just dont see the fact on dwelling on it... Reading that makes the venue out to be some ultra violent and dangerous venue which to me it is not...

I spend alot of time there as many of you know and I feel comfortable going there on my own. The atmosphere and people who I know and are friends with there are why I return and whatever "bad" publicity and a black shadow the media are trying to cast over the venue will not be dettering myself, mates or other regulars from attending the venue.

They do a good job and I will be there this Saturday night with bells on

It is obvious though to me though that the journo's there obviously are lacking in the areas of investigation and research as I am adament there are a bucketload of other news worth events occuring in the world which would be worth covering. Though I would imagine that would take effort and skill to un earth and put those together..

Just another reason why I am glad I never persued a career in tabloid media (though given an opportunity) and the way I'm feeling at the moment wouldnt even let my dog shit on their publications...

i'm sorry but it seems to be a fact of life that a heap of shit happens down that end of hindley around the newmarket and empire

quote:

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Originally posted by Chrysoula
but wait there is more.... courtesy of the advertiser....
What interests me about this one is the fact that they used NYBG and Planet as examples.. Planet I would not hold in regard as being competetive with Heaven anymore.. it's been shut now for some time and hasnt had quite the standard of patrons or profile compared to Heaven for quite some time as for NYBG I dont go there so cant comment on their clientel..

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Heaven DOES have a bad rep, Chrissy. Not just the last week or so, but also the shootings, stabbings etc that have happened there.
This is probably because it attracts all sorts and is a huge club but the fact ofthe matter is that there are dodgy people who go there.
I've also seen those 'professional' bouncers gang up on a guy who accidentally tripped over and bumped into one out the front. From what I saw he was covered in blood from his nose. He was on the ground and they were laying in.
I've also had my tits grabbed by a bouncer there, but he's not there any more.

I would believe, though, that the west end of Hindley is a dodgy place. That's all there is to it. There are dodgy people, bouncers and patrons and complaints will arise.

But I still stand by what I said about Heaven not being able to be blamed for those kids ODing, or even getting in. Fake ID and if the kids had been elsewhere, like in a park or a friends house even, they wouldn't have recievec the proper medical attention.

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Just because you havent seen them do anything wrong doesnt mean they never do anything wrong.

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This is probably because it attracts all sorts and is a huge club but the fact ofthe matter is that there are dodgy people who go there

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Heaven DOES have a bad rep, Chrissy.

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I think Heaven may have finally learnt that having the biggest doesn't always mean the best!

Chrysoula do you think your high opinions of the club and feelings of safety may have to do with the fact you know a large chunk of staff security etc and as such are less likely to be intimidated etc.

Truth is prolly quite a few of us have seen their bouncers loose it and their rep seems to be justified when the stats are put forward

quote:

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Originally posted by Xpose
Chrysoula do you think your high opinions of the club and feelings of safety may have to do with the fact you know a large chunk of staff security etc and as such are less likely to be intimidated etc.

Truth is prolly quite a few of us have seen their bouncers loose it and their rep seems to be justified when the stats are put forward

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Originally posted by cheapslut
I've been 18 for 2 months now and i get asked for id now more than before. I always go out with my two best friends, who i go to school with and one of them still have 3 more months till her birthday and she hardly gets asked.

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I've learnt my lesson, i know i've been a bad girl. Your Australian clubs are just so much better than where i'm from. But thats so 2 months age and i've grown up and moved on in life. I'm sure you never did the under age thing, hey edgar.

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Originally posted by edgar


It's people like you and your underage friends who are going to fuck it up for the responsible clubbers out there. You think you're cool 'cos you can get into clubs underage? Pfft! How would you feel if you lost your job because some little kid got your place of employment closed down by trying to be cool! You want to play with the big boys and girls? Try actually being responsible for your actions and play by the rules. Clubs aren't gonig anywhere, there's no rush kiddo...

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15 years old hey...

that's 7 years older than the age the writers of the Sunday Mail and Advertiser are told to write for.

it dumbs down important issues to a 8-year old mentaility.

I hope those places that have allowed underaged people and been caught get hefty fines, and I also hope the Sunday Mail gets into trouble over thier irresponsible action.

and Edgar, you trying to tell me you never went to a place when you were underage?
What a nice sensible lad you must be. Big ups my brother!

I know that the forum moderator has been going out since he was about that age, I know most DJs around Adelaide have been going out since they were about 16, because I have too!

I'd just like to hereby apologise to Edgar and any other person who's precious job I may have endangered, and I think all the DJs and Promoters who have been out whilst underage should make a public apology on these boards, and I think they should give up a weeks pay to Edgar and any other person who has had their job threatened by underagers.

i went out underage .. and im sure most ppl did

its not gonna stop