Worsheimer Bashing

Hon Tim Holding
Minister for Police
Parliament House
Spring St
MELBOURNE 3000

16 October 2006

Dear Minister

I am contacting you in relation to the assault on one of my constituents, Mr Menachem Vorchheimer, on Carlisle Street, St Kilda, on Saturday afternoon by the occupants of a minibus, allegedly members of the Ocean Grove Football Club.

Mr Vorchheimer was with two of his children, one aged 6 and the other aged 3, on his way to attend Sabbath afternoon prayers when he was accosted by a group of footballers returning from a function in a minibus. Slurs such as “F**ken Jew” and “Go the Nazis” were used. The men also repeatedly imitated shooting Mr Vorchheimer and his children.

Mr Vorchheimer ask the bus driver for the name of the group and the name of the group’s leader. His intention was to follow the matter up finding the event to be deeply offensive, especially as his father was a Holocaust survivor. The driver refused to respond and the men continued to their verbal abuse.

As the bus commenced to drive off Mr Vorchheimer’s Sabbath hat and skullcap were taken by one of the men on the bus. The Sabbath hat was crushed and then thrown out of the window. When Mr Vorchheimer asked for his skullcap to be returned he was pulled toward the open window and punched in the face.

The minibus attempted to leave before the police could arrive, but was blocked by Mr Vorcheimer and members of the public.

The St Kilda Police and an ambulance arrived. Mr Vorcheimer identified the man who assaulted him. The police are currently attending to this matter and charges are being brought against the man who assaulted Mr Vorchheimer.

If it is true that members of the Ocean Grove Football Club were involved in this attack, the entire Club should apologise to Mr Vorchheimer and his family for this disgraceful behaviour. The Club’s members might also volunteer their time at the Jewish Holocaust and Research Centre in Elsternwick, so that they can be properly informed about the Holocaust and the suffering that the Jews, and others, went through.

Yours sincerely.

MICHAEL DANBY MHR
Federal Member for Melbourne Ports
Opposition Whip