Man charged over alleged NAIDOC Ball assault

Giovanni Torre and Callan Morse Published August 26, 2023 at 1.42pm (AWST)

A 40-year-old Waikiki man has been charged with Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm arising from an alleged attack at Perth's NAIDOC Ball.

The man, who has not been publicly named, is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday 1 September.

Shortly after the event at Perth's Crown Ballroom on 15 July, family members of Aidan Collard, an Indigenous man originally from Geraldton, alleged he had been "set upon" by a group of men shortly before the conclusion of the ball.

Mr Collard sustained injuries from the incident including a broken jaw and multiple spine fractures, seeing him admitted to Royal Perth Hospital's trauma unit.

Mr Collard's mother Delys Ring wrote about the assault on social media and named two brothers and their sons as the alleged assailants.

"Oh my god! I remember seeing brother Aidan and he was looking all nice with Tegan and sisters… what a horrible way to end the night. Hope for full recovery," one respondent said.

"This is sad news!! Brother Aidan doesn't deserve this at all! Hope he makes a quick and easy recovery.," said another.

Ms Ring wrote that she felt "very emotional and saddened" writing the status update.

"My family and I travelled to Perth on Friday to attend the Perth 2023 NAIDOC ball... it was awesome to see everyone who attended celebrating with pride and acknowledging our elders," she began.

"Unfortunately, as the ball was near on closing our son Aidan was set upon... which left Aidan with serious injuries, a broken jaw and 2 fractures to his spine, admitted into Royal Perth hospital's trauma unit."

She shared two pictures.

"This is a photo of Aidan and his partner Tegan looking amazing at the start of the night full of pride, the other photo is of Aidan laying on his back unable to move in neck brace. Waiting to see if he has any long term injuries that may impact him, Tegan, and their 5 children's future," she wrote.

It is understood Elders present at the event expressed dismay at the incident which overshadowed an otherwise excellent evening.

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.