Disco fever back in Casey

By Lia Bichel
TEENAGERS in the City of Casey can dust off their disco dancing shoes with the return of a popular event this month.
A special under 18′ Blue Light Disco will be held at Berwick Leisure Centre on the 22 October.
Leading Senior Constable Mark Townsend said the move comes after he received numerous requests from local parents after the senior disco ended three years ago.
“We stopped the senior disco three years ago after the kids were becoming unruly and we had a case of a suspected broken jaw,” he said.
“We donate our time to run the event- we don’t get paid for it- so we decided that was enough. But we continued running the Blue Light disco for students in Years 4 to 7.”
Leading Sen Const Townsend said the Blue Light Disco has been running for 31 years by a team of volunteers including police officers, firemen, scouts, mothers’ club members and other residents.
It originally started when there were no cinemas or swimming pools in Casey and the last train was at 11pm.
“It’s a good place for kids to go and interact with other kids or police officers,” he said.
“There is now about 36 adult volunteers who help co-ordinate the disco.We supervise them but we can’t imprison them. If they want to leave, they are challenged and they have to pay the admissions fee again if they want to get back in. We also don’t let anyone in after 9.30pm and everyone who comes in gets patted down.”
Leading Sen Const Townsend said the senior disco is a “one-off” but could eventually become a regular event.
“If they behave themselves, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t, we could be looking at having three or four next year,” he said.
The senior disco will be held at the Berwick Leisure Centre, Manuka Road, Berwick, on 22 October from 7pm until 11pm for students in secondary schools Years 7 to 12. Cost is $15.
Anyone wanting more information can contact the Narre Warren police station on 9705 3111.